The Moa

 Listen to my reflection here.

The Moa’s classification is the Dinornis Robustus/ novaezelandiae. 

Description

Moa’s may have looked like an emus, judging by its skeleton. Their feet have three toes face forwards and one facing back. Female giant moa were larger than the males and were probably over 2 metres tall (taller than you!) and heavier than 250 kilograms (definitely heavier!) Moa had poor eyesight, good sense of smell and a short beak.

Habitat

Moa lived in New Zealand and the Stewart Islands. Little Bush Moa and Mantell’s moa lived in thick forest, while the crested and upland moa lived in the mountain zones of the South Island.

Diet

From the analysis of their fossils it suggests that they ate shrubs, trees, herbs, and grass.

 Each of the six types of moa had different shaped beaks, indicating they adapted to different plants.

Threats (were)

Maori substantially hunted Moa for food. Moa bones were carved into fish hooks, and pendants. The skin and feathers were made into cloaks and clothing. There have been a number of claimed historic sightings of the bird, but none had critical observations. Now, the moa are extinct.

Catalina

10/08/20

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