Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae
- IUCN StatusLeast Concern
- Population630,000 to 725,000
- DietOmnivores.
- GroupMob
- Sizeapprox 1.75 metres tall
- ContinentAustralia
- Lifespan10-15 years in the wild, upto 35 years in captivity
- Weightmore than 40kg
- HabitatTheir habitat includes eucalyptus forest, woodland, heath land, desert shrub lands and sand plains
- Scientific NameDromaius novaehollandiae
Meet the Emu
Australia is the only place emus are found and they inhabit almost the entire continent. There are fewer of them toward the centre of the country and along the eastern coast.
An emu is generally a solitary bird, but will exhibit social behaviors when it is advantageous, such as sharing a nest and searching for food.
They exhibit playful curiosity with animals of their own and other species, particularly noted in captive environments. An example is biting or pecking another animal then running away, simply to get a response.
They eat seeds, flowers, fruits and tender roots. During the summer they eat many insects, especially caterpillars, beetles and grasshoppers, and also small vertebrates.
Introducing....
Meet our emus at Wolds Wildlife Park
Did you know?
Here are some interesting facts about emus.
How many toes does an emu have?
Each emu foot has three forward-facing toes that allow it to grip the ground, thrusting the bird forward.
A powerful kick is also handy for keeping predators at bay.
How fast can an emu run and jump?
This flightless bird has small wings relative to the size of its body. Its long, powerful legs, though, allow it to run up to about 30 miles (50 km) per hour.
While running, the emu’s stride can be almost 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. Their strong legs also allow the bird to jump 7 feet (2.1 meters) straight up.
Do emus have good eyesight?
Emus have good eyesight and hearing, which allows them to detect threats at some distance
The emu has two eyelids. One eyelid is used for blinking, while the other prevents dust and sand to enter the eyes.
What noise does an emu make?
The emu has a pouch in its throat that it uses to make booming grunting sounds to communicate during mating season.
These calls are usually made during courtship and the breeding season heard up to 1.2 miles (2 km) away!
What do emus drink?
They require a large amount of water, drinking 9-18 liters (2.5-5 gallons) daily. If not disturbed, they may drink continuously for ten minutes.
