Ostrich
Struthio camelusClass: Aves Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
Size
Height: 9 ft Weight: 150-300 lbs
Lifespan
30-40 years
Diet
Primarily herbivorous and feed on leaves, seeds, grains, nuts, and fruit. They occasionally feed on insects such as locusts.
Habitat & Range
Grasslands and deserts of central and southern Africa
Interesting Facts
- Ostriches are the tallest and heaviest living birds on Earth. Ostriches are unable to fly, but are very strong runners and can reach speeds of up to 60 mph.
- Ostriches also lay the largest eggs of any species of birds alive. Their eggs are about 6 inches long, 5 inches wide, and weigh about 3 lbs. An ostrich egg is about 20 times the weight of an average chicken egg.
- They have two toes on each foot, and each foot has a single long claw. This claw is used both for traction when running and for defense against predators such as lions.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
