Kiwis: some facts

The kiwi on a coin from New Zealand. The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand
© [2007] Jupiterimages Corporation

There are five species (kinds) of kiwi, and they live only in New Zealand’s native forests, in scrub and in native grasslands.

Kiwis grow to about the size of a chicken. Females are larger than males. They have no tail and two tiny wings. They cannot fly, but can outrun a human.

They use their sharp, three-toed feet to kick and slash at an enemy.

The kiwi is a semi-nocturnal. They eat worms, insects and grubs, as well as leaves, berries and seeds.

The kiwi make nests in hollow logs, under tree roots, or in burrows dug mainly by the male. The female lays one or two eggs, then the male looks after the eggs, keeping them warm and maintaining the nest. Eggs hatch in about eleven weeks. Kiwis can live up to twenty years.

All kiwi species are endangered.

Go here for an illustrated life cycle of the kiwi
http://wyoming5.21publish.com/pub/wyoming5/rutterj/kiwi_lifecycle.gif

If you use any of this information in your own work acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Thomas & Sydenham, Kiwi [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2008)

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updated  © [2008] kidcyber