Scientific Name:
Struthio camelus
Distribution
West to East Africa South of the Sahara, South Africa
Diet:
Mainly herbivore. Grasses, seeds, leaves, succulent plants, insects and small vertebrates.
Facts
Habitat: Desert to savanna, open woodland.
Incubation: 42-46 days / 2-11 eggs
Social structure: groups of 5-50 birds with a dominant pair.
Weight: male 100-156kg, female 90-110kg
Dimensions: height male 210-275cm, female 175-190cm
Lifespan: 40
Estimated population in the wild: Frequent to abundant
Threats: Habitat destruction, egg collection, hunting for their meat and skin.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Did you know that:
- Their egg is the largest in the world, ~16cm and 1.5kg with a 2mm thick shell and is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs.
- Adult birds can kill a lion with a kick.
- It can reach up to 70km per hour.
- It’s brain is about the size its eyeball, which is ~5cm.