Moas

## Moa(Dinornithiformes)

Moas(From the Polynesian term for Fowl) are names for any Genus in the Dinornithoformes Genus.

These animals were endemic to New Zealand

## Species

There are 9 Species of Moa in the Pachyornis,Eurapteryx,Emeus,Anomalapteryx,Dinornis or Megalapteryx Genera.

### Pachyornis

###### P.elephantopus(Heavy-footed Moas)

Standing 1.8 Meters(6 Feet) tall and weighing 145 Kilograms(319 Pounds) they were around the size of a Common Ostrich.

Just like common ostriches they are mostly herbivorous,likely eating grass and shrubs.

They were endemic to South Island.

###### P.mappini(Mantell's Moa)

At 75 Centimeters(2 feet and 6 Inches) tall and 36 Kilograms(79.2 Pounds) it wasn't much larger than a large Eurasian Lynx.

This animal was more omnivorous than P.elephantopus and lived in the more densely packed forests of North Island where it ate leaves,low hanging fruit and small insects.

###### P.australis(Crested Moa)

At 1 Meter(3 Feet and 4 Inches) tall and 75 Kilograms(165 Pounds) it was the size of a Northern Cassowary.

Just like the Southern Cassowary it likely ate fruits and the occasional small insect

These animals lived in the dense forests and jungles of North Island.

### Euryapteryx

###### E.curtus(Broad-Billed Moa)

This animal was around 1 Meter(3 Feet and 4 Inches) Tall and 110 Kilograms(242 Pounds) it was around the size of a Somali Ostrich,although it's around 40% the height.

As the name suggests,this animal had a much broader beak and likely had a much stronger bite force than all Moas,it likely ate seeds as to not compete with other Moas

These animals lived in North and South Island but also in Stewart Island

### Emeus

###### E.crassus(Eastern Moa)

This was also a 1 Meter(3 Feet and 4 Inches) Tall and 80 Kilograms(176 Pounds) which is around the size of a Northern Cassowary

It was a grazer like modern day Deer or Wildebeest

This animal lived in the Eastern parts of South Island.

### Anomalopteryx

###### A.didiformis(Bush Moa)

This animal was around 75 Centimeters(2 Feet and 6 Inches) tall and 30 Kilograms(66 Pounds) making it the smallest Moa,only slightly larger than a Wild Turkey.

These animals were thought to be swamp dwellers and likely ate twigs and swamp plants

They lived in North Island and small parts of South Island

### Dinornis

###### D.novaezealandiae(North Island Giant Moa)

This was the tallest of the Moas(And tallest Bird),at 3.6 Meters Tall(12 Feet) and 240 Kilograms(528 Pounds),which is 60 centimeters(2 Feet) Taller and 80 Kilograms(176 Pounds) in weight than the absolute largest Common Ostrich.

They filled a similar high browsing niche to modern moose or giraffes

These animals lived on North Island

###### D.robustus(South Island Moa)

This was the heaviest Moa,but not the tallest,it was 3 Meters(10 feet) tall and 250 Kilograms(550 Pounds),its around the same height as Common Ostrich but much heavier

It was probably a grazer and low plant eater instead of it's Northern Cousin

These animals lived on South island

### Megalapteryx

###### M.didinus(Upland Moa)

At 90 Centimeters(3 Feet) tall and 60 Kilograms(132 Pounds) it is a relatively small Moa,only being around the size of an Emu

This animal was also a grass feeder but it was likely more carnivorous than their relatives

The reason for their name is because they live in a high,mountainous region,around 2,100 Meters(7,000 Feet) above sea level.

## Extinction

The extinction of the moas was because of overhunting,they were very meaty and their eggs were huge,meaning both can be used as food sources.They were also killed by invasive Polynesian dogs.

## Media

Media doesn't show much from these guys sadly,however there are several paintings and pieces of literature about Moas.