Tereingaornis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tereingaornis |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Tereingaornis
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| Species: |
moisleyi
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Tereingaornis moisleyi, also known as Moisley's penguin, was a type of penguin that lived a very long time ago. It is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists on Earth. This ancient penguin lived in New Zealand during a time called the Middle Pliocene period, which was about 3 to 3.6 million years ago!
Moisley's penguin was a bit smaller than the Fiordland crested penguin we see today. Scientists learned about this penguin from its fossil bones.
Discovering Moisley's Penguin
Finding Ancient Bones
In 1983, a scientist named Ron Scarlett officially described Moisley's penguin. He did this after studying some fossil bones. These bones were found by William Moisley. William found them near Te Reinga Falls, which is on the Wairoa River in the Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island.
The fossil bones included parts like a coracoid (a shoulder bone) and a humerus (an upper arm bone), along with other pieces. These bones helped scientists understand what this ancient penguin looked like.
More Discoveries
Later, another fossil of Tereingaornis moisleyi was found. This second discovery happened at Waihi Beach, near Hawera, on the South Taranaki Bight. Each new fossil helps scientists learn more about animals that lived long ago.
What's in a Name?
The scientific name Tereingaornis tells us something about where the first fossil was found. "Tereinga" comes from Te Reinga Falls, the place where William Moisley made his discovery. The word "ornis" comes from ancient Greek and means "bird."
The second part of the name, moisleyi, is a way to honor the person who found the first fossil, William Moisley. Scientists often name new species after the people who discover them.
