Iruni Kalupahana Jadetimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Australia
Introduction
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a big, flightless bird native to Australia. It is the second largest bird in the world, standing more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and weighing more than 45 kg. Emus belong to the family Dromaiidae and are closely related to cassowaries. They are surprisingly fast runners, moving at speeds of nearly 50 km per hour.
Physical Features
Emus have a sturdy body, long legs, and short wings measuring less than 20 cm in length. They have brownish feathers, dark gray head and neck, striped black, brown, and cream colored feathers on juveniles, that help them camouflage. Emus have three firm toes on each foot, which they use for running and defense.
Habitat and Distribution
Emus live on mainland Australia, where they occupy numerous different habitats, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts. They do not inhabit crowded areas or areas that have been cleared for agriculture. Some subspecies, which live on Tasmania and King Island, have been hunted and become extinct. Emus move seasonally to obtain food, in response to recent rainfall.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Emus primarily consume seeds, fruits, flowers, and shoots of young plants. Emus also consume insects and small vertebrates when they are present. Emus swallow pebbles to assist in digestion, which abrade food in their gizzards to grind it. Emus require daily fresh water and are able to walk long distances to get food and water. Emus accumulate fat during periods of abundant food to sustain them during lean periods.
Reproduction and Parenting
Emus are lifetime mates, and egg incubation is the male's responsibility. The female lays 7 to 10 dark green eggs in a grassy, leafy nest on the ground. The male won't eat, drink, or leave the nest for 56 days as they incubate. After hatching, the chicks follow in their father's footsteps, and he'll take care of them for about five or seven months. Sometimes misplaced chicks from a different brood are adopted by the male group.
Conservation and Human Interaction
The common emu is categorized as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is stable, with over 630,000 adult emus in the wild. Nevertheless, in other places, they are regarded as pests because they destroy crops. Although they were previously declining in some areas, emus remain a vital component of Australia's distinctive wildlife.
Commentaires