Animals
Class: Bird
Biome:
Conservation Status: Least Concern
About this animal
The emu is a flightless bird originating in Australia. The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world, with adult female emus being larger and heavier than the males. The largest can reach up to 190 to 150 centimetres (75–59 in) in height and 1 to 1.3 metres (3.3–4.3 ft) at the shoulder. Emus weigh between 18 and 48 kilograms (40 and 110 lb). The male is solely responsible for incubating the eggs over a period of 56 days. The father teaches his offspring how to find food and stay safe from dingoes and foxes. Emus are full-grown at 12 to 14 months but don’t reach reproductive maturity until about 2 years of age. The bulk of the emu’s diet consists of seeds and small minibeasts such as beetles. The emu serves a very important role in its habitat as a:seed dispersal specialist! Seeds that are eaten whole are often excreted whole, and as the emu wanders about, it leaves perfectly fertilized seed-carrying deposits behind in its droppings.
Did you know?
Emu's love the water and are often seen swimming and playing in it.
