The bird lived on the Earth in the interval between 66 and 56 million years ago.
Paleontologists have discovered in New Zealand the remains of a giant penguin, which could reach 1.6 meters and a weight of 80 kilograms. As reported by the researchers of the air force, is one of the largest penguins that ever lived on Earth, reports the online edition of the Chronicle.info with reference to zn.ua.
The researchers were able to detect the leg bone of an ancient bird. The find was made last year, since then, scientists engaged in its study.
Bird joined the list of extinct megafauna of New Zealand. These included parrots, eagles, burrowing flying mouse and MoA – birds, whose growth could reach 3.6 meters. The penguin lived here for about 66-56 million years ago.
According to researchers, it reached such dimensions due to the fact that the giant marine reptiles disappeared at about the same time as the dinosaurs. “We think that in that time species have evolved very quickly. The water temperature around New Zealand then was perfect, around 25 degrees Celsius, compared to eight degrees now,” said senior curator at Canterbury Museum, Paul Scofield.
At the moment researchers are unable to explain why the giant penguins disappeared from the waters of the southern hemisphere. They probably couldn’t compete with marine mammals
