Paris Exhibit questions Easter Island downfall - General Tiki

T TIKIBOSKO Tiki Socialite Joined: Oct 17, 2004 Posts: 336	T TIKIBOSKO Posted posted on Sat, Dec 13, 2008 3:56 PM I had read an article a while back (and something similar here on TC?) that it was rats (who were introduced on the first boats along with man, with no natural predators there) that did them in. The big palm they used to move the Moai's was a Jubaea and I can tell you from personal experience its rate of growth is beyond slow. The fruit on the tree is supposed to be quite tasty (not that they need any more incentive) and they will chew thru the endocarp of almost anything to get at the seed. A similar thing is currently going on in the South Pacific, whole Islands are no longer reproducing many types of palms (and I presume other plants) the rats eat everything before it can get to seedling stage. Just my two cents Bosko

I had read an article a while back (and something similar here on TC?) that it was rats (who were introduced on the first boats along with man, with no natural predators there) that did them in. The big palm they used to move the Moai's was a Jubaea and I can tell you from personal experience its rate of growth is beyond slow. The fruit on the tree is supposed to be quite tasty (not that they need any more incentive) and they will chew thru the endocarp of almost anything to get at the seed. A similar thing is currently going on in the South Pacific, whole Islands are no longer reproducing many types of palms (and I presume other plants) the rats eat everything before it can get to seedling stage.

Just my two cents

Bosko

Post #423662 by TIKIBOSKO on Sat, Dec 13, 2008 3:56 PM