Do Ostriches Really Bury Their Heads?
The answer to this question is a resounding “no”! In fact the ostrich does not even come close to burying its head in the sand. The popular idiom ” bury one’s head in the sand” actually originates from Pliny the Elder’s first century AD natural history encyclopedia Naturalis Historia. In it he recorded the ostrich’s behavior of lying low to the ground and covering its eggs with sand. This led him (and many others since) to believe that the ostrich intentionally buried its head in sand to hide from predators.
However modern research has shown that the ostrich does not bury its head in the sand. In fact it is physically impossible for the ostrich to do so. The ostrich’s head is too large to fit all the way into the sand and its neck is not long enough to allow it to bend down and reach the ground. Instead when threatened the ostrich will lie low to the ground and tuck its head and neck under its body feathers. This behavior gives the illusion that its head is buried when in reality it is not.
So why do people believe that ostriches bury their heads in the sand? There are a few possible explanations. First as mentioned before the popular idiom originates from Pliny the Elder’s first century AD natural history encyclopedia. In it he recorded the ostrich’s behavior of lying low to the ground and covering its eggs with sand. This led him (and many others since) to believe that the ostrich intentionally buried its head in sand to hide from predators.
Second the ostrich’s camouflage is incredibly effective. When the ostrich tucks its head and neck under its body feathers it blends in so well with the sand that it is almost impossible to see. This can make it look like the ostrich has buried its head in the sand.
Finally the ostrich’s behavior when it feels threatened is to run away. It will not stand its ground and fight like some other animals will. Instead it will try to escape to safety. This means that when confronted with a predator the ostrich will often have its back to the predator. This combined with its effective camouflage can make it look like the ostrich has buried its head in the sand.
Despite the popular belief ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. This false belief likely originates from Pliny the Elder’s natural history encyclopedia and the ostrich’s effective camouflage. When threatened the ostrich will lie low to the ground and tuck its head and neck under its body feathers. This behavior gives the illusion that its head is buried when in reality it is not.
Do ostrich really bury their heads?
No they don’t.
