Common name: Emu
Scientific name: Domaius novaehollandiae
Conservation Status: Least Concern
At the zoo: Curly (male, 21y) - Curly lives with his wallaby and kangaroo friends near the center of the zoo.
Habitat:
Emus live in most habitats across Australia, but tend to avoid heavily populated areas.
Diet:
Emus eat fruit, seeds, insects, and small mammals.
Median Life Expectancy:
20 years
Biology:
Emus are one of the largest birds in the world standing at almost 2 meters tall. Despite being flightless birds, they can run up to 50km/h and are capable of jumping over 2 meters in the air. They eat small pebbles and stones to help them digest plant material.
Known to travel in groups over wide ranges in search of food, emu have been labelled as agricultural pests where cereal farming takes place. An extensive and controversial network of emu-proof fencing has been installed to protect farmland and to reduce conflict with humans.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the number of eggs laid depends on the amount of rainfall?!
