The Ostrich

The Ostrich(Struthio camelus)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgh7IJ8yqX8

Physical Characteristics

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ostrich_Struthio_camelus_Tanzania_3743_cropped_Nevit.jpg

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/ostrich-struthio-camelus/male-ostrich-etosha-salt-pan

*6-9ft tall*Male has black and white plumes, female is dark brown and grey*Two toes on each foot*250-345lbs*Largest, heaviest, and tallest non-extinct bird*2in eye (same size as its brain!) *Head small, bill short and wide*Big brown eyes, with Black lashes*Round body, long skinny neck, long skinny legs*Can run 40mph!! Uses its wings to turn!

ClassificationScientific name: Struthio camelusPhylum: ChordataClass: AvesFamily: Ratites family (also known as struthiondae)Order: StruthionformesGenus: StruthioKingdom: AnimaliaSpecies: Struthio camelus

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/ostrich/

Birds related to the Ostrich

1. Australian Emu

2. Cassowarys

3. Rheas4.Kiwis5. (Extinct)

Moa *Statue in picture*

1.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=australian+Emu&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=australian+emu&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=BA3E4FAEAD8E28254A1A209952FFA3D0285F901C&selectedIndex=0

2.

http://birds.catchsmile.com/wp-content/uploads/Cassowaries-2-768x1024.jpg

3.

5.

4.

http://lifesgreatadventures.com/wp-content/gallery/latest-pictures_1/kiwi-bird.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yhNb_L3uvbg/TJCYIIL__uI/AAAAAAAABJA/m7bW--hLcXE/s1600/CASSMoastuffed1.jpg

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/005/cache/greater-rhea_561_600x450.jpg

All of these birds are in the Ratite family, so is the Ostrich!

DistrubutionThe savannah regions of Africa, and introuduced to lower africa and Australia

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=distrubition+of+the+ostrich&FORM=HDRSC2&&id=8F2933EA6FC60C223BD2A26BC3E29083D9FA6A0F&selectedIndex=11#view=detail&id=8F2933EA6FC60C223BD2A26BC3E29083D9FA6A0F&selectedIndex=0

Habitat and Conservation Status

Most of you probably know that Ostriches live in the desert!!(savannah regions of Africa!)

http://bioexpedition.com/ostrich-habitat-and-distribution/

http://cutenaturals.blogspot.com/2011/06/ostrich.html

IUCN Red List: Least ConcernPopulation: decreasing

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Funny+dogs&go=&qs=bs&form=QBIR#view=detail&id=8603A18A012F279F5112D93647C0E4FBAEB34ACD&selectedIndex=63

Inspired by Mr. Martin!

Reproduction and Care

*Reproductive at 2-4Yrs*One Rooster, and Many hens, rooster mates with all hens, and there is a main Hen*Ostrich groups lay in the same nest*Nest is a depression in the sand*Ostriches can tell which egg is theirs*Eggs weigh 3lbs and take 2hrs to hard-boil*Rooster guards the eggs by night, main hen by day*Egg takes 40-45 days to hatch*Lays up to 10 eggs, but will lay about one every 3 weeks* Ostrich chicks grow 1ft a month for first few months

http://www.robinsonlibrary.com/science/zoology/birds/struthioniformes/graphics/ostrich3.gif

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W23Gc66tuoA/S7QdcXv3_2I/AAAAAAAAAHo/cjENRzLI6sM/s1600/ostrich_egg_size.jpg

LIFE! And Seasonal Patterns

*Capitivy: 50yrs*Wild: 30-40yrs*Males and females live about the same

*Does not migrate*Does not Hibernate*Does not undergo torpor

http://www.animalspot.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ostrich-Image.jpg

Diet

WILD*Any plants in the desert*Invertebrates

CAPTIVITY*Pellets*Dry leaves*Fruit

Omnivore

http://www.animalspot.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ostrich-Image.jpg

Ostriches will rarely drink water!!They get all the water they need from the plants they eat!

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4690680742805604&pid=1.7

Ostriches have no teeth so they eat gravel and sand to digest their food!!!

Predator/Prey Relationships

Predators: Lions, leopards, and hyenas!

Prey: Invertebrates, and Plantshttp://www.abolitionist.com/reprogramming/lion.jpgOstrich’s means of keeping predators

away:Males will make a low grumbling sound, females will pretend to be hurt to lure away predators from its eggs, they can run 40mph, and they have one of the deadliest kicks in the world!! They also have long necks, keen hearing, and very good eyesight to detect predators.

Human Relations

Humans hunt and farm the bird for its feathers and very expensive leather, humans also see ostriches in zoos. The bird can be used for riding, but they don’t train easily and they tire fast. Their meat is cooked like beef and tastes like beef, and there is even an ostrich parade in Arizona!

Some people like Chris Bosh are even Ostriches…

Fun Facts!

*There are 2million ostriches world-wide*They are diurnal (active in the day)*They don’t put their heads in the sand, they simply lay their heads near the sand which appears to be in the sand from a distance*They were inspirational in the thoughts, and religion of Mesopotamia, and ancient Egypt