The Moa

Introduction
The Moa was an endemic creature to New Zealand, which means it was unique and it could only be found in Aotearoa. The Moa went extinct within 100 years of humans first arriving in New Zealand, because humans hunted them for food.

Physical Features
The Moa is classified as a bird although it is the only bird that has ever existed without wings! The Moa had a very long neck and also had very long legs that helped them reach high up leaves and to run away from predators. They also had sharp beaks which they used to rip leaves off the branches. And they used their brown furry feathers to camouflage from predators in the native bush. The Moa could weigh up to 230 kgs! And if you think thats heavy then you should see their height! It's an unbelievable 3.6 metres tall!

Habitat
Moas lived throughout New Zealand in our beautiful native forests to shrublands, grasslands and coastal dunelands. Most of the time
3-4 Moa species lived together in the same habitat, which would make them feel safer.

Summary
Overall the Moa went extinct mainly because of us humans hunting them down for their warm feathers and food. It was wrong for us to do this to the majestic giant and we should all wish that the Moa were still alive this day, and walking with us on this very planet.

By Nina