Emu Facts
Emu Facts
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Interesting Emu Facts: |
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Emu is very large bird. Females are slightly larger. Emu reaches between 5 and 6.5 feet in height. It can weigh up to 130 pounds. |
Emu has long neck, sharp beak and small ears. Its body is covered with light-brown feathers. Each feather has a double shaft. Emu has small wings which provide stability during running. |
Emu has two eyelids. One eyelid is used for blinking, while other prevents dust and sand to enter the eyes. |
Emu has three toes on each foot. Their legs are strong and built for running. Also, they use legs for kicking the predators when faced with danger. |
Emu requires water on a daily basis. During cold weather, they recycle air in the nasal passages for creating the moisture that can be used. |
Unlike water, emu can survive long periods without food. It stores fat that is used as a source of energy when the food is scarce. |
Emu is an omnivore (eats both plants and animals). It likes to eat caterpillars, large insects, small lizards, rodents, flowers, seed, buds and shoots. |
Emu swallows small rocks and pebbles to facilitate grinding of food and accelerate digestion. |
Emus are usually solitary animals, but they sometimes travel in pair. Emu can gather in flocks when large quantity of food is available. |
Emu is a fast running animal. It can reach 30 miles per hour. |
Emu is also excellent swimmer. It can easily cross the river while looking for food and new feeding areas. Emu can travel thousands of miles each year. |
Emu mates during summer and lays eggs during cooler months. Female lays between 8 and 10 eggs. Since the eggs are large, female lays one egg every 2 to 3 days. |
Eggs are dark green in color, have thick shell and weight of around one pound. Male sits on eggs during the next 8 weeks, until they are ready to hatch. During that time, male does not eat but uses stored fats as a source of energy. |
Emu chicks are active as soon as they hatch. Their body is covered with stripes of brown and creamy-colored soft feathers that provide camouflage. After three months, their plumage starts looking like feathers of adult animals. |
Emu can survive between 5 and 10 years in the wild. |
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