Facts about the Ostrich
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Struthio camelus
RANGE & HABITAT: Deserts, savannahs and grasslands of East, West and southern Africa
SIZE: Up to eight feet tall and 300 lbs. Hatchlings are up to one foot.
LIFE SPAN: Can live up to 25 years in captivity
INCUBATION: 40 days; up to 20 eggs
WILD DIET: Berries, succulent plants, occasionally insects and reptiles
ZOO DIET: Ratite grain
HABITS: Largest of all birds. Too heavy to fly, but can run up to 45
mph. Each foot has two toes, and it can defend itself by kicking.
Several females lay eggs in one nest, producing clutches of up to 30
eggs. Females share daytime sitting duties - male sits at night. Eggs
are the size of cantaloupe, weighing up to 3 lbs. Males have black and
white plumage; females are brownish. Males make loud, booming calls and
perform elaborate displays during the breeding season. After the eggs
hatch, the male is solely in charge of the young for about 40 days.The
ostrich is semi-nomadic and will travel long distances to find grass
and other plant food.
Comments