Story: Moa

Fossilised footprints

Fossilised footprints

These footprints of a large moa were exposed in August 1912 when a flood in the Manawatū River swept away the blue clay that had covered and preserved them. They show that the moa had three strong front-pointing toes and, unlike most other ratites, a small rear toe.

Using this item

Royal Society of New Zealand
Reference: K. Wilson, 'Footprints of the Moa.' Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 45 (1912): plate 2.

Permission of the Royal Society of New Zealand must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Trevor H. Worthy, 'Moa - Distribution', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11381/fossilised-footprints (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Trevor H. Worthy, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015