Ostrich
Struthio camelus
Class: 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
