Adaptive Peak:
Struthio Camelus
The Ostrich
Ostrich Facts
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Largest bird in the world
Flightless bird
Native to Africa
Can reach speeds up to 45 mph for sustained
periods
• Live to 75 years
• An ostrich egg is the equivalent of 2 dozen
chicken eggs
• Can lay up to 40-100 eggs per year
• To hard boil and ostrich egg would 1.5 hours
Description
• Weigh between 150 and 300 lbs
• The males have black feathers with
white tips
• The females are grayish brown with
white tips
• Has only two toes on each foot
– Adaptation for running
– The nail on the larger toe resembles a hoof
Description
• Feathers are soft, fluffy and great
insulators
• Have 3 stomachs
Behavior
• Defense Mechanisms
– Power deadly kick
– Speed
• Diet
– Plants and insects
• Reproduction
– Females sit on egg by day and males by night
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