The flightless ostrich is the world's largest bird. They roam African savanna and desert lands and get most of their water from the plants they eat.
Though they cannot fly, ostriches are fleet, strong runners. They can sprint up to 43 miles (70 kilometers) an hour and run over distance at 31 miles (50 kilometers) an hour. They may use their wings as "rudders" to help them change direction while running. An ostrich's powerful, long legs can cover 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) in a single stride. These legs can also be formidable weapons. Ostrich kicks can kill a human or a potential predator like a lion. Each two-toed foot has a long, sharp claw.
Ostriches live in small herds that typically contain less than a dozen birds. Alpha males maintain these herds, and mate with the group's dominant hen. The male sometimes mates with others in the group, and wandering males may also mate with lesser hens. All of the group's hens place their eggs in the dominant hen's nest—though her own are given the prominent center place. The dominant hen and male take turns incubating the giant eggs, each one of which weighs as much as two dozen chicken eggs.
Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. The old saw probably originates with one of the bird's defensive behaviors. At the approach of trouble, ostriches will lie low and press their long necks to the ground in an attempt to become less visible. Their plumage blends well with sandy soil and, from a distance, gives the appearance that they have buried their heads in the sand.
Ostriches typically eat plants, roots, and seeds but will also eat insects, lizards, or other creatures available in their sometimes harsh habitat.
Ostriches become sexually mature when they are 2 to 4 years old; females mature about six months earlier than males.The female Ostrich lays her fertilized eggs in a single communal nest, a simple pit, 30–60 cm (12–24 in) deep and 3 m (9.8 ft) wide,scraped in the ground by the male. The dominant female lays her eggs first, and when it is time to cover them for incubation she discards extra eggs from the weaker females, leaving about 20 in most cases.Animals that prey on Ostriches of all ages include cheetahs, lions, leopards, african hunting dogs, and spotted hyena.Ostriches can often outrun their predators in a pursuit. However, they may sometimes fiercely fight predators, especially when chicks are being defended, and have been capable of killing enemies as large as lions in such confrontations.
Common predators of nests and young ostriches include jackals, various birds of prey, mongoose and Egyptian vultures.If the nest or young are threatened, either or both of the parents may create a distraction, feigning inury.
Fast Facts
- Type:
- Bird
- Diet:
- Omnivore
- Average life span in the wild:
- 30 to 40 years
- Size:
- 7 to 9 ft (2.1 to 2.7 m)
- Weight:
- 220 to 350 lbs (100 to 160 kg)
- Group name:
- Herd
- Did you know?
- The ostrich has the largest eye of any land animal. Its eye measures almost 2 in (5 cm) across.
- Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
Sources:www.nationalgeographic.com
- www.wikipedia.com
