A ostrich (Struthio camelus)is bird native to the savannas African and the largest bird on the planet. It can reach three meters in height and weigh more than 150 kg. Ostriches are not capable of flying, but they are excellent runners, reaching speeds of 70 km/h. Males and females present sexual dimorphism, with males being black and white and females grayish.
The female can lay around 60 eggs, which are white, large and heavy. Incubation lasts 42 days, and males and females take turns in this task. In the past, the ostrich was heavily hunted, which led to a drop in natural populations. Hunting was aimed at obtaining fur and feathers. The domestication of species, however, caused this predatory activity to be reduced.
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Summary about ostrich
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world planet and can reach three meters in height.
It is an animal originating from Africa.
It is a bird that cannot fly, but is a great runner.
To escape from predators, she runs at a high speed and makes sudden changes in direction.
It uses its strong legs to kick its threats.
It can live up to 70 years.
Ostrich characteristics
Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a bird originating from Africa that, unlike many birds, does not have flight capability. Ostriches do not have a keel-shaped crest on their sternum bone or carina. Furthermore, they do not have developed pectoral muscles in relation to their body size and their wings are rudimentary.
It's a bird large and considered the largest living on the planet. An adult ostrich can weigh up to 150 kg and reach three meters in height. Ostriches feature sexual dimorphism, with males being black and white and females grayish.
Ostriches have a thick sternum, about 4 cm thick. This sternum helps protect against kicks from other ostriches. Furthermore, it allows the bird to be able to lie down on the sand. desert, which can reach high temperatures. It is worth noting that the ostrich has plumage capable of trapping air, forming a kind of insulating layer. As a result, the bird can survive in different climates, as it can withstand a large variation in temperature.
Equipped with long and strong legs, ostriches reach high speed, around 70 km/h. A striking characteristic of this species is the fact that, when fleeing from a predator, it runs with sudden changes in direction, which ends up confusing predators. To defend himself, he also uses the kicking technique. As noted, its legs are very strong and a blow from them can be fatal.
They are animals that live in flocks, which can be formed from five to 50 individuals. Ostriches are commonly seen in the company of animals that graze, such as zebras and antelopes.
The ostriches were hunted a lot in the past, mainly to obtain their skin and feathers. The eggs of these animals were also caught from the natural environment, serving as food for humans and other animals. With the domestication and practice of raising ostriches spreading throughout the world, the threat that these animals suffered decreased considerably, preventing them from populations natural become extincttas.
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Taxonomic classification of the ostrich
The ostrich belongs to the order Struthioniformes, from the group of ratite birds. In addition, emu, kiwi, emu and cassowary are examples of ratite birds. This group stands out for including flightless birds, which do not have a sternal keel and have poorly developed pectoral muscles. See below the complete taxonomic classification of the ostrich.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Birds
Order: Struthioniformes
Family: Struthionidae
Gender: Struthio
Species: Struthio camelus
Ostrich food
The ostrich is aomnivorous animal. Therefore, it is nourished by foods of animal origin and also of vegetable origin. Grasses, seeds, roots, and small animals such as geckos and insects, are part of the diet of this incredible animal. As it usually uproots entire plants, sand ingestion occurs frequently. In addition, it ingests small amounts of stones, which help to crush the food it consumes.
Ostrich reproduction
Ostriches are polygamous animals, that is, they can reproduce with more than one pair in the same reproductive period. A female can lay 60 eggs per year, which will generate between 20 and 25 offspring. Ostrich eggs can weigh up to 1.8 kg, and the incubation period is 42 days. A Incubation is carried out by both the male and the female. Males incubate eggs at night and females during the day. The ostrich can live up to 70 years, presenting around 30 years of reproductive life.
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Ostrich stick their heads in holes to hide?
Although quite widespread, the story that the ostrich puts its head in a hole in the ground when it is scared or frightened is nothing more than a myth. Its origin is not well known, but it is probably related to the fact that, when feeding, the ostrich gets its head is lowered and, as the savanna vegetation is low, it can give the false impression that the neck is inside the ground.
