Do ostrich have backbones? This is a question that has been debated for many years with some people asserting that they do not and others asserting that they do. In this blog post we will take a look at the evidence for and against the existence of ostrich backbones and try to come to a conclusion.
The majority of people seem to think that ostrich do not have backbones. This is probably due to the fact that when you look at an ostrich you cannot see any bones protruding from its body. Furthermore if you were to touch an ostrich you would not be able to feel any hard bony structure beneath its feathers.
One of the main pieces of evidence cited by those who believe that ostrich do not have backbones is a study conducted by scientists at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. In this study the scientists injected dye into the blood vessels of anesthetized ostrich and then used X-rays to observe the dye as it circulated through the body. They did not see any evidence of a bony structure in the ostrich’s body leading them to conclude that ostrich do not have backbones.
However there are a number of problems with this study. Firstly it is possible that the dye simply did not reach the ostrich’s backbone if it exists. Secondly the study was only conducted on a single ostrich so it is possible that this ostrich was simply an anomaly and that other ostrich do have backbones.
There is also some evidence to suggest that ostrich do have backbones. One study conducted by scientists at the University of Manchester in the UK found that ostrich eggshells contain gaps that are the same shape and size as vertebrae. The scientists who conducted this study believe that these gaps are where the ostrich’s backbone would be located.
Another piece of evidence that ostrich do have backbones comes from a study conducted by scientists at the University of California Berkeley. In this study the scientists dissected an ostrich and found a bony structure in its body that they believe to be a backbone.
So what is the verdict? Do ostrich have backbones? Based on the evidence it is hard to say for sure. The majority of the evidence suggests that they do not have backbones but there is some evidence to suggest that they do. Until more studies are conducted we cannot say for certain one way or the other.
Do ostrich have backbones?
No they have a notochord which is a flexible rod-like structure.
What does an ostrich use its notochord for?
An ostrich uses its notochord for support and movement.
How many times can an ostrich stick its head in the sand?
Once
What is the scientific name for the ostrich?
Struthio camelus
What is the biggest living bird?
The ostrich is the biggest living bird.
What is the height of an ostrich?
An ostrich can be between six and nine feet tall.
What is the weight of an ostrich?
An ostrich can weigh between 150 and 350 pounds.
What is the lifespan of an ostrich?
The lifespan of an ostrich is 30 to 40 years.
What is the diet of an ostrich?
The diet of an ostrich consists of plants and insects.
What is the average speed of an ostrich?
The average speed of an ostrich is 45 miles per hour.
What is the egg of an ostrich?
The egg of an ostrich is the largest egg of any bird.
How long does it take for an ostrich egg to hatch?
It takes 42 days for an ostrich egg to hatch.
How many eggs does an ostrich lay?
An ostrich can lay between 10 and 20 eggs.
What is the incubation period of an ostrich?
The incubation period of an ostrich is 28 days.
What is the scientific family of the ostrich?
The scientific family of the ostrich is Struthionidae.
