Emu Ostrich - description, habitat, interesting facts

Australia is famous for living creatures that inhabit the territory of the state. The explicit representative of such is ostrich with dark plumage, which is called emu. His homeland is the aforementioned country, but on the territory of our homeland these feathered friends are also common. Their distinctive feature is considered to be rapid adaptation to climatic conditions, as well as the ability to endure cold even at a mark of minus 20. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, revealing maps. Let's examine the features in turn.

Description

1. The feathered tribe of this species is counted among the order of the Casuar. These are rather large individuals that can reach 1.8 m in height of the body with a body weight of 60 kg. It is interesting that the step of these birds is 2.5 meters, you just imagine. Of course, this feature allows birds to move quickly over land.They reach speeds of up to 55 km / h and more.
2. Otherwise, the ostriches are called Australian. Their distinguishing characteristic is the ability to swim quickly. Some ostrich representatives are completely deprived of this ability. The individual of the family under discussion cannot be called waterfowl. However, it easily swims from one bank of a slowly flowing river to another. Other non-swimming individuals of this ability can not boast.
3. Due to their overall characteristics, emus are among the largest birds in the world. In this list, they occupy an honorable second place. Individuals are famous for excellent hearing and vision, therefore at a great distance they catch danger (up to 300 meters).
4. Birds are kept on various farms that specialize in displaying individuals to humans. Emu people get used to quickly, so the content usually does not arise. They are obstinate, but with the right approach pliable to education.
5. Considering the description of individuals of this breed group, it should be noted that they cannot fly. Hence, undeveloped wings, which do not exceed 25 cm in length. There are growths on the tips of the wings that are externally similar to claws.The rest of the emu is powerful and advanced.
6. The legs are strong, the articular parts are lubricated enough. Each claw has three clawed fingers. If an individual gets angry, it will cause damage to the enemy with its paws. There were cases in which the fight with the ostrich ended in death.
7. On the color of plumage birds are grayish with brown tint. The feathers are soft and uniform, fluffy, stick out in different directions. Due to this color, the representatives of the group are masked and become invisible, despite the decent size. These individuals have no requirements for the temperature regime of the environment in which they live. Ostriches perfectly tolerate cold, down to - 20 degrees.
8. With regard to differences in gender, they are practically absent. Females from males differ only in behavior. Male individuals attract beautiful ladies with their cries. In terms of plumage birds are identical.

Habitat

1. Under the natural habitat refers to places with a small number of people and vegetation. At the same time, climatic zones should not be arid.Ideal for Ostriches Australian environment.
2. Birds avoid danger from predators, preferring to stay close to the roads. They suffer less from people than from enemies from the animal world.
3. Emus are pests, so farmers do not like them. Individuals climb on the plowed and sown fields, destroy shoots and bathe in cultivated land. They trample a crop.
4. By their natural features live to 20 years. However, most of them die by the age of 13–15. When kept in captivity, it will reach to 25 years.

Nutrition

1. The individuals in question mainly feed on plant food. However, this kind of food is preferred by almost all birds of this type. Presented ostriches love to feast on plant shoots, young roots, seeds and buds. Also, the birds love and various fruits.
2. In addition, individuals actively include in their diet cereal crops. For the same reason, ostriches often raid agricultural fields. Because of what are considered pests. So that birds have no problems with digestion, they often swallow small pebbles and sand.
3. If you are going to contain such individuals on your own, then such components must be present in their diet. As for the young, they mostly need protein food. During such a period they grow very quickly.
4. Before 8 months of age, young individuals must give small rodents, various insects, worms and lizards. Such facts must be taken into account if you intend to grow individuals on the farm. If the food is of poor quality, then the birds can grow inferior.

Breeding

1. Ostriches reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 years. At the same time, females are already starting to lay eggs. The mating period in the individuals in question often falls in the middle of winter. This applies to wildlife.
2. When keeping ostriches on the farm, their mating season falls in the spring. It is worth noting that the male is engaged in vids of the future offspring. In one nest, females lay eggs, after which the male begins to work. Females never do these things.
3. The eggs of the represented individuals have a very large size, the weight of which can reach up to 1 kg.When kept on a farm, special incubators are created for such eggs. In rare cases, small ostriches are bred in devices that are intended for goose offspring.
4. If you are an inexperienced breeder, then for the first time it will be difficult enough for you to remove an ostrich from an egg. Therefore, in your case it is better to get young. If you still decide to risk and purchase an egg, then for this you need a farm of sufficient size.
5. The eggs of the individuals under consideration differ from other relatives in that the shell has a rather bright and unusual color. Often it can be dark blue or dark green. After the chicks are born, they need careful care. For industrial purposes, such ostriches are very popular.

Interesting Facts

1. When such ostriches begin to swim in the sand, they do not wallow like these birds. You may notice that such individuals seem to float like in water.
2. The surprising fact is that in the represented individuals the brain size is equal to the size of their eyes.
3. Only the male is engaged in incubation of eggs and the further upbringing of the offspring.
4. Almost all ostriches without any problems can themselves comfortablefeel at +45 degrees, and at -25 degrees.

Ostriches are quite interesting representatives of birds. About them you can learn a lot of amazing facts. As mentioned earlier, birds swallow sand and stones to improve digestion. This way of feeding is due to the fact that individuals lack teeth. Therefore, they swallow food whole.

Video: Emu Ostrich (Dromaius novaehollandiae)