African Ostrich - A Giant In Its Own Right

Africa is a land of giants and the male ostrich is a giant in its own right.

Not only does it stand some 8ft about 2.4meters tall and weigh up to 330lb about 150kgs but they also have little when it comes to defense mechanisms. The ostrich’s large size prevents it from taking to the air as a means of escape.

There therefore rely on their keen eyesight and great speed – about 45mph (72km/h) – to keep them out of danger.

An ostrich will also use it’s great size to defend its young and they have been know to run over predators like jackals who prey on the young chicks and ostrich eggs. Being run over by an ostrich weighing 150kgs can leave small predators with internal injuries.

Ostriches feed on the leaves, flowers and seeds of various plants, so a feeding ostrich needs to have its head close to the ground which makes eating and keeping a look out for predators a challenge. [tag]Ostrich[/tag] tend to feed in groups with some keeping an eye out for predators while others feed.

With one or two birds always on the look out for predators while the rest feed a group is safer than if it were an individual bird feeding alone, because it makes it more difficult for a predator to approach unnoticed.

Ostriches sometimes mingle with herds of antelope, zebra and other herbivores increasing their chances of survival because there are more eyes on the look out and extra senses in use with herbivores having a keen sense of smell.

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