The Moa is the ancestor of a kiwi, they both have similar characteristics and are both unique animals in different ways.
General Statistics
Level
Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Struthioniformes
Family
Dinornithidae
Location on the Moa
Habitat
Moa were native to New Zealand and they were mainly found on the South Island of New Zealand where it was wet and dark making it an advantage to them when moving around and avoid being seen. Scientists found Moa fossils in caves around the Southern Alps this is because of the enormous size, they will need a massive area for them to rest in and avoid contact with hunters.
Different Species of Moa in New Zealand
Adaptations Structural Adaptation
As shown, the neck of the Moa is really long and flexible making it a great advantage for them in the wild. Because of their long neck, they can see targets or threats coming to them from afar and can flee before their enemies could react. Also they can get food in high areas so they don't need to fight with other animals to have a meal. Moa's bone structure is quite similar to a giraffe and can move around fairly easily.
Behavioral Adaptation
The moa is also a nocturnal animal, this behavior not just help it reduce the chance of being hunted down by the Maori, it also reduce the competition for food during the day.
Physiological Adaptation Introduced species and human activity has lead to major number decline for the moa population and the specie was not able to change for it to survive. Although the moa became nocturnal creatures moving about at night, the Maori outsmarted them and gave continuous attacks making survival for them very harsh therefore leading to extinction.
Extinction Pressure
The Moa lasted around a century in human presence especially the Maori who kept on over-hunting them for their meat and feathers. Because the Moa is a herbivore, the Maori took advantage of that and strike them head on continuously threatening the Moa population.
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Kiwi (Modern Animal)------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kiwoa (Future Animal)Kiwi Ancestor (Moa)
The Moa is the ancestor of a kiwi, they both have similar characteristics and are both unique animals in different ways.General Statistics
Habitat
Moa were native to New Zealand and they were mainly found on the South Island of New Zealand where it was wet and dark making it an advantage to them when moving around and avoid being seen. Scientists found Moa fossils in caves around the Southern Alps this is because of the enormous size, they will need a massive area for them to rest in and avoid contact with hunters.
Adaptations
Structural Adaptation
As shown, the neck of the Moa is really long and flexible making it a great advantage for them in the wild. Because of their long neck, they can see targets or threats coming to them from afar and can flee before their enemies could react. Also they can get food in high areas so they don't need to fight with other animals to have a meal. Moa's bone structure is quite similar to a giraffe and can move around fairly easily.
Behavioral Adaptation
The moa is also a nocturnal animal, this behavior not just help it reduce the chance of being hunted down by the Maori, it also reduce the competition for food during the day.
Physiological Adaptation
Introduced species and human activity has lead to major number decline for the moa population and the specie was not able to change for it to survive. Although the moa became nocturnal creatures moving about at night, the Maori outsmarted them and gave continuous attacks making survival for them very harsh therefore leading to extinction.
Extinction Pressure
The Moa lasted around a century in human presence especially the Maori who kept on over-hunting them for their meat and feathers. Because the Moa is a herbivore, the Maori took advantage of that and strike them head on continuously threatening the Moa population.
Bibliography
1. Christchruch City Libraries . (2010). Retrieved 6 23, 2012, from NZ birds and animals: http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/NZBirdsAnimals/Moa/2. Wikipedia. (2012, 6 12). Retrieved 6 23, 2012, from Moa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa
3. Animal Planet. (2012). Retrieved 6 23, 2012, from Moa: http://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/mao-info.htm