description Moa (Dinornis robustus) Overview
Dinornis robustus, the South Island giant moa of New Zealand, stood up to 3.6 meters tall and was driven to extinction by Māori hunters within roughly two centuries of Polynesian settlement around 1280 CE.
help Moa (Dinornis robustus) FAQ
How tall was the South Island giant moa?
Large female Dinornis robustus could reach roughly 3.6 meters when the neck was fully extended. Its normal posture was more horizontal, so museum images with an entirely upright neck can exaggerate how it stood.
Could Dinornis robustus fly?
No. Moa were flightless ratites, and unlike ostriches or emus they lacked even external vestigial wings.
Why did the South Island giant moa become extinct?
The main cause was human hunting after Polynesian settlers reached New Zealand in the late thirteenth century. Habitat burning and the moa's slow reproductive rate also made populations less able to recover.
Was Dinornis robustus the largest moa species?
It was one of the two giant moa species in the genus Dinornis and is commonly called the South Island giant moa. Its North Island relative was Dinornis novaezealandiae.
explore Explore More
Similar to Moa (Dinornis robustus)
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
