Ostrich Student Name

Ostrich Climate Control Water An ostrich can go for long periods of time without water, but still need a water supply. Food Ostrich’s eat mostly plants, but they also eat Insects, fruits, seeds, nuts, and some small animals like lizards. Shelter Ostriches live in dry, open country. Males make a nest in the sand to protect the eggs. Climate Control They use the bare skin on their upper legs and flanks, covering it with their wing feathers or exposing it depending on if they want to retain heat or cool down.

Habitat Ostriches are found in the dry grasslands and semi-desert areas of eastern and southern Africa. They tend to live in mixed groups of 5 - 50 individuals but sometimes they live alone.

Physical Adaptations The wing bones of ostriches are the same as other birds, but ostriches cannot fly. Their need for flight diminished since their long, powerful legs enable them to outrun most predators at speeds up to 43 mph. If cornered, a single kick with their powerful legs can also be fatal to its enemies.

Behavioral Adaptations Ostriches stretch out their neck and lay their head on the ground to keep from being seen, but they do not bury their head in the sand! The males build the nests, help incubate the eggs, and care for the young birds. If the females had to stay on the nests all the time, they would not be able to look for the large amount of food it requires to produce more eggs.

Interesting Facts The ostrich is the largest living bird. It can grow up to 9 feet tall and 345 pounds. Some ostriches can live to be 70 years old. One ostrich egg equals up to 24 chicken eggs. The ostrich has the biggest eyeball of any bird-they are 2 inches across. A female ostrich can recognize her own eggs, even when mixed in with the eggs of other females.

Resources "BBC Nature - Ostrich videos, news and facts." BBC - Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Ostrich>. Donegan, Keenan. "ADW: Struthio camelus: Information." Animal Diversity Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2011. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Struthio_camelus.html>. “Ostriches, Ostrich Pictures, Ostrich Facts - National Geographic." Animals - Animal Pictures - Wild Animal Facts - Nat Geo Wild - National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2011. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/ostrich/?source=A-to-Z>.