(Struthio camelus)

Adult height - 2m (male) 1.8 - 2m (female)
Adult weight - 85 kg (male) 75 - 80 kg (female)
Age at sexual maturity - 3 years (male) 2 years (female)
Diet - mainly plants
Sound - males make a large booming sound - females usually quiet
Hearing - very good
Sight - Excellent
Smell - Poor
Mating season - May to October
Hatching time - 39 - 44 days
No of young - 7 - 14 eggs
Predator - Mainly larger carnivores

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Ostriches were once found over a much larger area in nature than they are today.

Human development and encroachment on their habitat over the past half century has caused their population to decline and they are now found only in the African savannahs.

One true species is recognized Struthio camelus and several subspecies.

Ostriches are primarily grazing animals, existing on a variety of plant and brush material. In many instances, succulent plants and fruits also make up a large portion of their diet as do small insects and lizards.

Ostrich are equipped with many advantageous features including excellent eye sight, large external ear canals, and powerful legs which allow speeds of up to 40 mph. Because of these features, mortalities in adult ostrich are not thought to be common. Ostrich reach an adult height of over 7 feet by 16 to 18 months of age. They continue to increase in weight after this time with adult males reaching over 300 pounds.

Ostrich may become sexually mature at two years of age although males often mature later than females. It is not uncommon for hens to begin laying at two to 3 years of age while males may take as long as 4 to 5 years to be functionally mature. Eggs are whitish in color, weigh about 3 pounds. Eggs are typically laid in late afternoon. Mating may occur numerous times during the day. The breeding and mating behavior is quite elaborate with the male sitting on his hocks, moving his wings up and down while throwing his head from side to side. During this time the male will usually make a thumping sound and will inflate his neck area and create a loud booming noise. The receptive female walks with her head down, popping her beak and shaking her wings ("clucking"). When approached, the female will sit, allowing the male to mount from the back. The male digs a depression in the ground by sitting and digging with his legs, pushing dirt backwards, forming the nest. Eggs are laid in these nests and the male usually sits on the eggs at night while the female incubates during the day. Wild clutches usually range from 8 to 14 eggs. Both parents are involved with the rearing of the young.

Adult male ostrich are solid black in color with white wing tips while the smaller females are brownish gray Male they have blue skin and is referred to as "blue necks." The color of the neck is dependent on the presence of the male hormone testosterone. The color of the feathers is dependent on the presence or absence of the female hormone estrogen.

Ostrich Prints - 20 cm long