Object

Result 1 of 1

Record Image
Accession No 1938.58.13
Name/Title Dinornis novaezealandiae (North Island Giant Moa); tarsometatarsus
Brief Description A tarsometatarsus or foot bone, made up of several fused bones. It had three toes pointing forward and a small one at the back. Giant Moa had proportionately longer tarsometatarsi than other moa and could take longer strides. This bone was collected during a Museum excavation in 1936–37 from a mud hole near Makirikiri, Whanganui.

The North Island Giant Moa (Dinornis novaezealandiae), found throughout North Island forests, was one of two giant moa species. Females stretched up 3 m high, and DNA evidence from bones shows that they were twice the size of males. Giant moa were hunted to extinction 500 years ago.
Classification Dinornis novaezealandiae/Dinornis
Measurement Reading 39.7cm
4.4cm
Select this result

Whanganui Regional Museum

TEL: 64 (6) 349 1110

FAX: 64 (6) 347 6512

EMAIL US

FINDING US

Main entrance from the forecourt of
the War Memorial Hall, Watt Street.

MUSEUM HOURS

10.00 am - 4.30 pm seven days

Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

Archive Hours Monday to Friday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm