Daily Zoo Animal: #17, Ostrich.

[urbpan]

Ostrich Struthio camelus

Once the elephant bird and the giant moa died off, the ostrich became the world's biggest bird. Ostriches roam the arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, often in the company of herding mammals. These birds have been hunted for their meat and feathers for centuries, but only recently have been commercially farmed. In South Africa thousands of ostriches are processed annually, but an effort to start a major ostrich farming industry in the United States has so far been largely unsuccessful.

This female ostrich is on exhibit with the zebras at Franklin Park Zoo.



One etymological interpretation of their scientific name is "Camel Sparrow." I think I'll call my ranch in Texas "Camel Sparrow Acres."

On this day in 365 Urban Species: Rabbitsfoot clover.

Comments

[by-steph.livejournal.com]

Not quite as good as Camel Toe Acres, but it'll do.

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

Which is, of course, located right next to moose knuckle farms.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

OKAY NEVER MIND

[rinalia.livejournal.com]

They also leave nasty welts when they bite.

However, they aren't as evil as emus.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Did the survivors of the Texas Emu Massacre end up at your place?

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

There are several Ostrich ranches more or less around here. I think there are even a few small ranches in the valley. I know there's a big one in Mesquite.

[stephanietberry.livejournal.com]

What a photo! Ostrich Portraiture! Hooray!

[harrietbrown.livejournal.com]

Talk about ostriches being processed: A Coach bag made of ostrich leather costs $7000. You read that right. For a handbag.

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

I think the elephant bird and giant moa would have been so cool to have around right now...Ostriches are cool too, they make good burgers I hear...:P
I don't think I could eat them though they are too awesome...
I read "South Africa" as "South America" for some reason...hehehe...

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Stupid Llamas!!

I miss the Moa...But not as much as I miss the Terror-Birds!

feathers vs. fur

[shellynoir.livejournal.com]

Don't those look like eyelashes to you?
It's hard to believe those are evolved scales...