Why Did The Moa Go Extinct?

 Why Did The Moa Go Extinct?

Moas were cool creatures and played an important part of the early New Zealand ecosystem, and must have been pretty tasty if you look at how over-hunted they were. Moas had nine species spread across New Zealand when they were around.

What Moas Did For The Environment.

When moas were around all of their species played an important role in the environment-spreading seeds. Due to the fact that moas were grazers they ate a variety of plants and spread their favourite food across the forest they were like gardeners for New Zealand bush. Moas also only had one predator, the Haast Eagle that made sure that they didn't take over and eat everything.

The nine species of moa ranged from the size of a turkey to twice the height of a person. One species of moa, the Northland giant moa was huge and one of the biggest flightless birds ever. Moas only laid one or two eggs per breeding season and left the males to incubate them.

Why Moa Went Extinct.

The entire reason moas went extinct was humans, Maori hunted them at all stages of life and destroyed their habitat. Moas size led to their extinction, as one fully grown giant Northland moa could feed many people for multiple days. Moas also probably tasted good because why else would they be over hunted to extinction when just one could be enough food for an entire family. Also male moas were hunted more than females either because they were slower or that they were easier to find.

How Moas Can Be Brought Back

It is possible to revive an extinct species if they died less than half a million years ago and furthermore New Zealand's moa is near the top of the to revive list, so it may be possible to see one of these behemoths alive and roaming the bush this century. 

In conclusion moas were an important creature for New Zealand's ecosystem when they were around whether it be the size of a turkey or as tall as two men.

By Rata.