Page 48 - World of Animals - Issue #39

All about the common ostrich

Inside the

common ostrich

Mouth
Ostriches are without a doubt one the Ostriches do not
have sweat glands.
world’s weirdest creatures. The largest To cool down in their
living bird has wings but can’t fly and its hot climate they
sharp claws can disembowel with one kick pant to regulate their
body temperature,
just like dogs.
COMMON OSTRICH
Struthio camelus
Class Aves

Eye
The eyes can be five
Territory Africa centimetres (two inches)
Diet Roots, shoots, leaves, in diameter and are bigger
insects, and lizards
Lifespan 40-45 years than the bird’s brain.
Adult weight Up to 156kg Ostriches hold the record
(344lb) for the largest eyes of any
Conservation Status
land animal.
LEAST CONCERN

Gizzard
Any food the ostrich eats enters the gizzard,
where it is ground down and partially digested
by pebbles that the ostrich has eaten. They
don’t have any teeth to break down food, so
eating stones is an important part of their diet.

Legs
Running at top speeds The fastest animals on two legs, their
How does the ostrich measure up against the average speed of other runners? strong legs can carry them at speeds
of 70 kilometres per hour (43 miles
per hour). Not only are they fast, they
Runner have incredible stamina, too.
13kph (8mph)
Claws
Cyclist The toes are armed
with claws which,
40kph (25mph) when paired with
their strong legs,
Greyhound make for a formidable
weapon. They are
69kph (43mph) able to disembowel
with one kick.
Ostrich
69kph (43mph)

Horse
72kph (45mph)

INFANCY JUVENILE

Inside the egg Hatching Staying safe Feeding Growing up Light feathers
Ostrich eggs are the A er 40 days, the young birds are ready to Male and female ostriches take it in Young ostriches cannot eat the Baby ostriches grow The chicks have a fawn
largest in the world but emerge from the egg within the communal turns to watch over their offspring. They same food as their parents. Instead at a pace of around 18 coloured plumage to
also the smallest relative nest. Some eggs hatch earlier than others need constant care and the parents the adults feed their young on other centimetres (seven help them blend into
to the bird’s body size. depending on when they were laid. keep an eye on them 24 hours a day. unhatched eggs. inches) a month. their environment.

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