Ostrich | Description, Habitat, Food, & Facts
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. Although it has wings, it cannot fly, but compensates for its inability to fly by running very fast. Ostriches are found in the wild in Africa, but are raised around the world for their meat.
What does the Ostrich look like?
The ostrich is an animal with a unique appearance. It has long and thin legs, a large body with small wings, a long neck, and a dangerously long beak. Ostriches typically weigh between 200 and 300 pounds and can grow up to 9 feet tall. Its large body is covered with feathers. Males have black feathers with some white on the underside and tail. Females are usually gray. An ostrich’s eyes can be nearly 2 inches long, making them the largest of any land animal.
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How fast do they run?
Ostriches are famous for their speed in the field. Its powerful legs allow it to reach speeds of 40 miles per hour! Ostriches can also use their strong legs to kick predators. It can easily hit hard enough to kill a human or even a lion. However, in most cases, the ostrich will only use its speed to overcome any threat.
If they can’t fly, why do they have wings?
The ostrich’s wings aren’t used for flight, but they’re not completely useless either. They help a lot for balance when the ostrich is running at full speed and needs to change direction. They are also used to flirt between a guy and an ostrich girl.
What do they eat and do?
Ostriches live on whatever they find to eat. This includes plants, insects, and small animals like lizards. They often live in flocks with other ostriches. A typical herd will have around ten animals, but some flocks are known to be as large as 100. These flocks also help keep them safe. Each flock has a large nest where all the eggs are laid. In this way, the whole flock can help protect the eggs. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal, weighing an average of 3 pounds.
Why do they put their heads in the ground?
Ostriches don’t really stick their heads to the ground like so many cartoons like to show. What they really do is lie down and put their head and neck on the ground to hide. From a distance, all you can see is their bodies, so it looks like they’ve burrowed their heads into a hole in the ground.
Interesting Facts About Ostriches
Not only can ostriches hit hard, but they are also equipped with 4-inch-long claws on their feet.
The stride of an ostrich at top speed can reach 16 feet.
Ostriches sometimes eat rocks and pebbles that help them digest food.
In some places there are ostrich races where people ride on the backs of giant birds. They even have special saddles and bridles for them.
Ostriches have only two toes, while all other birds have three or four toes.