Ostriches are the largest and heaviest of all living birds. They are also the fastest land animals on two legs. Native to Africa these majestic creatures can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh more than 350 pounds!
Interestingly ostriches are not born with their long powerful legs. Their legs actually grow much faster than the rest of their bodies and they can be as tall as their adult selves within just a few weeks!
While their legs are their most famous body part ostriches also have some other very interesting physical features. For example they have the largest eyes of any land animal and their eyes are so big that they take up almost half of their brain cavity! And while they don’t have teeth they do have a very long and sharp beak that they use for everything from self-defense to preening their feathers.
Of course ostriches are also famous for their unique mating and nesting habits. Unlike most birds it is actually the male ostriches that build the nests and take care of the eggs. And when it comes to mating the male will often “bow” to the female to show his interest. If she is receptive they will then engage in a complicated dance ritual before finally mating.
Ostriches are truly amazing creatures and there is still so much that we don’t know about them. For example while we know that they are mostly diurnal (active during the day) we don’t know why they sometimes go on “nocturnal sprees” where they will be up and about all night long. We also don’t know why they sometimes run in circles which has led to the popular belief that they are trying to bury their heads in the sand!
If you want to learn more about ostriches be sure to check out some of the references below. You can also head to your local zoo to see these fascinating birds up close and in person!
References:
http://www.livescience.com/27385-ostriches.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/a/african-ostrich/
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/ostrich
How large do male ostriches grow?
Male ostriches can grow up to 2.
8 meters (9 feet) tall.
How large do female ostriches grow?
Female ostriches can grow up to 2 meters (6.
5 feet) tall.
How much do ostriches weigh?
Male ostriches can weigh up to 156 kilograms (345 pounds) while females can weigh up to 90 kilograms (200 pounds).
What is the lifespan of an ostrich?
Ostriches can live for up to 40-60 years.
What is the average wingspan of an ostrich?
Ostriches have a wingspan of 2-3 meters (6.
5-9.
8 feet).
How fast can an ostrich run?
Ostriches can run at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour (43.
5 miles per hour).
What is the maximum speed an ostrich can run?
The maximum speed an ostrich can run is 97 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour).
What is the average egg size of an ostrich?
The average egg size of an ostrich is 15 centimeters (6 inches).
What is the largest egg size of an ostrich?
The largest egg size of an ostrich is 18 centimeters (7 inches).
How many eggs can an ostrich lay in a year?
An ostrich can lay up to 50 eggs in a year.
How many eggs does an ostrich normally lay?
An ostrich normally lays 20-30 eggs.
How long does it take for an ostrich egg to hatch?
It takes an ostrich egg 42 days to hatch.
What is the incubation period of an ostrich egg?
The incubation period of an ostrich egg is 35 days.
How many chicks does an ostrich usually have?
An ostrich usually has 10 chicks.
What is the average lifespan of a wild ostrich?
The average lifespan of a wild ostrich is 20-30 years.
