Rats responsible for Easter Island's demise? - General Tiki

C christiki295 Member LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is Joined: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 3837	C christiki295 Posted posted on Tue, Dec 6, 2005 6:57 PM "Hunt counters that deforestation of palm trees by Polynesian rats occurred on the Hawaiian islands. And the Easter Island palms were uniquely vulnerable because the rats had no predators and the trees didn't grow at elevations too high for them to reach." Jared Diamond also refers to the Polynesian rat as a problem (although not with the same emphasis). 20 million rats (or 100,000) on one Island could create havoc, if too small to catch easily and no other predators. I think Easter Island only had chickens as domesticated animals. Mahalo for the thought-provoking post.

"Hunt counters that deforestation of palm trees by Polynesian rats occurred on the Hawaiian islands. And the Easter Island palms were uniquely vulnerable because the rats had no predators and the trees didn't grow at elevations too high for them to reach."

Jared Diamond also refers to the Polynesian rat as a problem (although not with the same emphasis).

20 million rats (or 100,000) on one Island could create havoc, if too small to catch easily and no other predators.

I think Easter Island only had chickens as domesticated animals.

Mahalo for the thought-provoking post.

Post #201916 by christiki295 on Tue, Dec 6, 2005 6:57 PM