Dinornis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dinornis maximus |
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| Dinornis giganteus | |
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Struthioniformes
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Dinornis
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Dinornis was a group of really big, ostrich-like birds called Moa. They lived only in New Zealand a long time ago. Sadly, these amazing birds are now extinct, meaning they no longer exist. They were some of the tallest birds ever to walk the Earth!
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What Were Dinornis Moa?
Dinornis moa were a type of ratite bird. Ratites are a group of birds that cannot fly, like modern-day ostriches and emus. But Dinornis moa were much bigger! Some species could grow up to 3.6 meters (about 12 feet) tall. That's taller than a basketball hoop! They were also very heavy, weighing up to 250 kilograms (about 550 pounds).
Different Kinds of Giant Moa
There were several different types, or species, of Dinornis moa. The two most famous ones were:
- Dinornis novaezealandiae (the North Island Giant Moa)
- Dinornis giganteus (the South Island Giant Moa)
These names tell us which of New Zealand's main islands they lived on. Scientists have also found signs of other Dinornis species, but they haven't been fully described yet.
Life in Ancient New Zealand
Dinornis moa lived in the forests and grasslands of New Zealand. They ate plants, leaves, and fruits. Because they were so large, they didn't have many natural enemies before humans arrived. Their main predators were likely large birds of prey, like the Haast's eagle, which is also now extinct.
Why Did They Disappear?
The Dinornis moa became extinct around the 15th century. This happened after the Māori people arrived in New Zealand. The moa were hunted for food, and their habitats were changed. Because moa laid only one or two eggs at a time and grew slowly, they couldn't reproduce fast enough to survive the hunting pressure.
Images for kids
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A skeleton of D. robustus, a type of South Island Giant Moa.
See also
In Spanish: Moa gigante para niños
