EMU

The Emu is with a height of up to 2 metres, Australia’s largest and the worlds second largest bird. Beaten only by the African Ostrich. 
The Emu has evolved to such a size that it no longer can fly. Instead it has become a fast runner. On a flat plain an Emu can run at a speed of more than 55 kilometres an hour.

Wild Emu live in scrubby flat areas, open plains and near edges of lakes, but they are also commonly farmed. In the wild Emus are nomadic, and will travel hundreds of kilometres in search of food. They eat wild fruits, grass, new shoots on plants and trees. Occasionally, they also eat large insects, caterpillars and, in fact, will eat almost anything that comes their way.

Normally the Emu lays 5 to 10 eggs in a nest, and it takes round eight weeks for them to hatch. During this time it is the male Emu who sits on the eggs. After hatching the father continues to watch over the newborn for another six months.

A newly laid Emu egg weighs up to 700grams and is the first couple of days green in colour. After a few days the egg changes colour to glossy black.

The Emus are shy birds, but they are also curios, and will quite often stay to look at people who approached them quietly. Just don’t get too close, because the Emu can sometimes also be bad tempered.