![Picture](/uploads/3/9/9/3/39933773/6700029_orig.jpg)
The Common Ostrich, (Struthio camelus), is the most widely known species in the Order Struthioniformes. They are found mostly in the savannas of Africa.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
KPCOFGS?
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Aves
Order - Struthioniformes
Family - Struthionidae
Genus - Struthio
Species - Camelus
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- usually weigh from 63 to 145 kilograms (139–320 lb), or as much as two adult humans
- At sexual maturity (two to four years), male ostriches can be from 2.1 to 2.8 m (6 ft 11 in to 9 ft 2 in) in height, while female ostriches range from 1.7 to 2.0 m (5 ft 7 in to 6 ft 7 in) tall
- The feathers of adult males are mostly black, with white primaries and a white tail. Females and young males are greyish-brown and white. The head and neck of both male and female ostriches is nearly bare, with a thin layer of down. The skin of the female's neck and thighs is pinkish gray, while the male's is blue-gray, gray or pink dependent on subspecies.
- Long legs with two toes on each foot.
- Lacks a gallbladder
- They never travel in alone so they mostly travel in pairs.
- They are diurnal; most active early morning and late at night.
- They have great eyesight/ hearing so predators are sensed from far away.
- They reach speeds up to 43 mph making it the fastest two-legged animal in the world.
- Their mating season is from March to September.
- During mating season, Ostriches travel in herds. In the herd there is a dominant male and female which mate. Other males may also mate with females by performing dancing rituals to satisfy the females. Each female can only mate with one male but one male can mate with multiple females.
- They live in dryer climates
- Mostly in temperate grasslands
- Savannas in Africa
- They can't live in deserts because they need some vegetation that they can use for food.
KPCOFGS?
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Aves
Order - Struthioniformes
Family - Struthionidae
Genus - Struthio
Species - Camelus