Coloring Book Ostrich

Ostriches are currently the largest birds that live on earth. Interesting fact is that they are the only ones with only two toes and feed on mixed foods. Their natural habitat is semi-deserts and savannas of Africa. In our country we can meet them only in specially prepared zoos, where they have ideal conditions for living.  

Information

1. Scientific name: Struthio camelus.
2. Habitat: Ostriches inhabit the savannas and semi-deserts of Africa, from Senegal to Somalia and southern Africa.
3. Size: Adult ostriches can reach heights of up to 2.5-2.8 meters and weigh between 90 and 130 kilograms.
4. Body structure: They have a long neck, large eyes (the largest of any terrestrial vertebrate) and heavily muscled legs that are adapted for running. Although ostriches have wings, they are too small to lift the bird's heavy body, so the ostrich does not fly.
5. Speed: Thanks to its strong legs, the ostrich is one of the fastest running birds and can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h over short distances.
6. Diet: Ostriches are omnivores. They eat plants, seeds, insects, small rodents and reptiles.
7. Reproduction: Females lay eggs in nests dug in the ground. Ostrich eggs are the largest of all birds - they can weigh up to 1.5 kg.
8. Social behavior: Ostriches live in groups of several to dozens of individuals. During the breeding season, the male digs a nest and attracts several females, who lay eggs into it.
9. Enemies: Young ostriches fall prey to predators such as hyenas, leopards and jackals. Adult ostriches have few natural enemies except for lions, although with their strong legs and kicks they can make a difficult opponent even for a lion.
10. Application: People have long used various parts of the ostrich. Its feathers were coveted as ornaments, its eggs as a source of food, and its skin for making leather goods. Ostrichs are raised commercially in many parts of the world.

Trivia

1. Huge egg: The ostrich egg is not only the largest bird egg in the world, but also has one of the thickest shells in the bird world. Despite its size, it is proportionally smaller in relation to the ostrich's body than a sparrow's egg is in relation to a sparrow.
2. Sight: Ostriches have the largest eyes among terrestrial vertebrates. This gives them excellent eyesight, which helps them detect predators from a distance.
3. Without teeth: Although ostriches do not have teeth, they swallow stones that help them digest food in their stomachs, acting as a grinding mill.
4. Strong kicks: Ostriches are known for their powerful kicks, which are their main line of defense. Their legs are extremely strong and can even be deadly to potential predators such as lions.
5. Runners: Although ostriches are flightless, their legs are perfectly adapted for running. They can run 5 km in 5 minutes and maintain a speed of 50 km/h for half an hour.
6. Groups: Although ostriches can live alone, they often form groups of 5 to 50 birds. These groups are variable and can form differently depending on the season and resource availability.
7. Multiwing: Male ostriches often copulate with multiple females. Females lay eggs in a single nest, and it is the male who most often lays the eggs, both during the day and at night.
8. Camouflage: Male ostriches have black feathers, while females are grayish-brown. This difference in coloration helps them camouflage themselves when they are laying eggs - males at night and females during the day.
9. Communications: Ostriches communicate using a variety of sounds, from whistles to buzzing. They also have the ability to make low-pitched rumbling sounds that are difficult for the human ear to hear.
10. Commercial value: Ostrich farming has become popular in many countries because of the value of their meat, skin and feathers. Ostrich meat is lean and low in fat, and the skin is valued in the production of luxury handbags, shoes and other accessories.