What are the differences between an emu and an ostrich?
What is the Difference Between Emu and Ostrich
- Emu – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior. Emu is the second largest bird in the world, native to Australia. ...
- Ostrich – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior. Ostrich is the largest bird in the world, native to Africa. ...
- Similarities Between Emu and Ostrich. Emu and Ostrich are the two largest birds in the world. ...
- Difference Between Emu and Ostrich. ...
What is difference between ostrich and Emu?
The main difference between Ostrich and Emu is the difference in their size, Ostrich is known to be the largest, reaching a height up to 7-9 feet and 145 kilograms, while Emu are normally between 5.5 – 6 feet tall and weigh 36-40 kilograms.
Did ostrich and emu have a common ancestor?
This is because, millions of years ago, all the continents we know today were part of one single landmass, before they broke up. It is here that scientists believe an ancient flightless bird―the common ancestor of emus and ostriches―existed.
Is an emu the right bird for You?
If you’re wondering if Emus make good pets, the answer would be yes, Emus can indeed make great pets, but with a few warnings. Just like with any animal, they need to be raised in the right way and require a specific kind of care level. So, we look at these factors here, which should hopefully help you decide if owning Emus is in your future.
What is the difference between ostriches and emus?
Interestingly, there is a difference between the sexes of these birds. Ostriches have larger males, whereas Emus have larger females.
How many species of emu are there?
There is only one species of Emu. There will be five of the Ostrich. Although, even with the species of ostrich, they pretty much all look the same outside of a few color variations and size differences.
How fast can an ostrich run?
There is a huge difference between the speed that these birds can run. The fastest you will ever see an Emu run will be 30mph, whereas an Ostrich can travel at over 40mph! This is surprising since the Ostrich tends to be a far larger bird than the Emu.
Why are emus raised?
In addition to this, Emus will be raised for their oil, which is often used in aboriginal pain relief treatments. Ostriches will be raised for their feathers, although this is something that will be more of a ‘side benefit’ to the eggs and the meat that they are producing.
How big is an ostrich?
The largest Ostrich can hit a whopping 9-feet tall, whereas the Emu caps out at about 7-feet. The weight is hugely different too. A large ostrich may reach 300lbs, whereas the heaviest an Emu is going to get will be 150lbs. Interestingly, there is a difference between the sexes of these birds.
What do emu eat?
The emu will tend to eat whatever it can get its beak on. This is normally going to be plants and the like. However, they have no problem eating small animals.
Which bird lays the largest egg in the world?
Eggs: Emu vs Ostrich. The ostrich lays the largest eggs in the world. Their eggs can weigh up to three pounds! They are hefty in size too, with the length sitting at the 6-inches mark. Emu vs Ostrich Eggs. Emu eggs are almost third of this size. This is still large, and among the largest bird eggs too, but still nowhere near the size ...
What is an emu?
An emu smiles for the camera. Ostriches (below) and emus (above) are both members of the ratite group of large, flightless birds that are scattered throughout the Southern Hemisphere, including Africa (the ostrich’s range) and Australia (the emu’s range). The two animals share many physical characteristics, such as broad eyes; an elongated, ...
How much does an emus weigh?
Although emus are the largest birds in Australia (weighing around 80 to 90 pounds apiece), they're considered pretty small when compared to a fully grown ostrich, which is the largest bird on Earth (they're about three times the size of an emu, weighing around 220 to 265 pounds ). While emus are mostly omnivores, feeding on plants as well as invertebrates like spiders and scorpions, ostriches tend to develop a strictly herbivorous diet (though they may eat insects).
How fast can an emus run?
Moreover, emus have three toes on their feet while ostriches possess two toes plus a long tendon that allows them to run at speeds of up to nearly 45 mph, whereas emus generally top out at 30 mph. Lastly, the emu is sometimes considered more docile toward humans than the ostrich.
Is an ostrich polygamous?
Additionally, the males and females of both species are polygamous, and their eggs’ shells have a thickness so great that the hatchlings develop more rapidly than any other bird. A female ostrich struts her stuff in South Africa's Kalahari desert. EcoPic/iStock via Getty Images.
Do emus and ostriches have similar traits?
Still, despite their differences, emus and ostriches do have similarities, and so they remain tangentially related to each other, since they are both flightless birds that are part of the ratite group as mentioned earlier. Which practically makes them cousins.
1. Ostriches are Much Larger
Emus are pretty big birds. They stand up to 7 feet tall and can weigh as much as 150 pounds. However, Ostriches get even larger!
2. Emus Live Shorter Lives
Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 50 km/h (31 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating.
3. They Live on Different Continents
Both of these flightless birds live in hot habitats, but they are in very different parts of the world. Ostriches live in the deserts of Africa, while emus live throughout most of Australia.
4. Emus have Smaller Wings
An emu’s wings are more difficult to spot than ostrich wings. One reason for this is their size: the emu’s wingspan is much smaller.
7. Ostriches are Omnivores
Ostriches are omnivores, eating mostly plant material, but also eating insects and small lizards.
8. Ostriches Run up to 45 Miles per Hour
Emus are a bit slower than ostriches, running at top speeds of 30 miles per hour. Ostriches have long tendons in their feet that allow them to run up to 45 miles per hour!
9. Emus are Darker in Color
As we discussed above, ostriches sometimes have white wing tips. They might also have white bellies. Emus, on the other hand, are dark all over.
Where are emu and ostrich native to?
On the other hand, the ostrich is the largest bird on the Earth, which is native to Africa, and commonly farmed for its skin, feathers, and meat. « Previous Post.
What is the difference between an emu and an ostrich?
In the comparison of an emu vs. ostrich, the main difference is their size and where they are found. AnimalSake talks about all their other aspects to compare them further, along with the help of pictures for better understanding.
Why are ostriches and emus so similar?
Emus and ostriches, both belong to a group of flightless birds called ratites. One could wonder why both are so similar in appearance and behavior, despite being found in different continents. This is because, millions of years ago, all the continents we know today were part of one single landmass, before they broke up.
What is the common ancestor of emus and ostriches?
It is here that scientists believe an ancient flightless bird ―the common ancestor of emus and ostriches―existed. When the continents broke up, individuals of this ancient species were trapped in different places, forcing them to evolve separately into the emu and ostrich.
How many eggs do ostriches lay?
■ Ostriches form groups, with each male mating with 6 to 7 females. Around 40 eggs are laid, which are cared by the females in the day, and the males at night, in turns.
How much meat does an ostrich produce?
Farming. ■ Ostriches produce around 60 – 70 lb of meat, with less fat. Their larger feathers are more suited for fashion and decorative articles. They produce a small amount of oil, but their feathers and skin are in high demand, especially because the latter produces high-quality leather.
How big is an emu?
Size. ■ The emu is the second-largest bird in the world, and the largest in Australia. It stands between 4 to 6 feet tall , and weighs between 90 and 150 lb.
What are Ratites?
Ratites (pronounced RAT-tights) are a family of flightless birds with small wings and flat breastbones. Ostrich, emu ( E-mew) and rhea ( REE-ah) are members of this family.
How are Ratites Raised?
Newly hatched chicks usually weigh about two pounds and are about 10 inches tall. Young ratites must be sheltered in a warm place for their first weeks of life. Adolescent and adult birds are allowed to roam freely in fenced pastures or pens.
Are Ratites USDA Inspected?
Yes. Effective 22 April 2002, ratites are under mandatory USDA inspection. Establishments that slaughter ratites are required to implement and validate sanitation standard operating procedures and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, as required by mandatory poultry inspection regulations.
Retail Cuts of Fresh Ratites
Ratite meat is sold as steaks, fillet, medallions (small coin-shaped pieces of meat), roasts and ground meat. The most tender meat comes from the thigh or 'fan'; meat also comes from the drum and forequarter.
Are Ratites 'Red' or 'White' Meat?
Although ratites are poultry, the pH of their flesh is similar to beef. Therefore, they are classified as 'red' meat. The raw meat is a very dark cherry red. After cooking, the meat looks like beef and the flavour is similar but a little sweeter.
What Cooking Methods Can Be Used?
The tenderness and texture of farmed ratite meat lends itself to light grilling, pan frying or roasting.
What is the Cost Per Pound?
At this time, emu, ostrich and rhea meat are specialty items available in restaurants and some stores. The meat is more expensive than beef, pork, chicken and turkey. However, the price will become more reasonable as the quantity of this meat becomes more widely available. January 2009
Can an Emu and Ostrich Mate?
Both male emus and male ostriches have lymphatic penises – an uncommon feature in birds. So, it reasons that they might be able to copulate with females of each other’s species. In other words, male emus can possibly mate with female ostriches and vice-versa.
Are They Related?
Emus and ostriches are related because they belong to a diverse group of birds called ratites. Ratites are birds that have flat breastbones. Their breastbones do not have the ridge-shaped part called the keel. Hence, the flightlessness of both birds.
Difference Between Emu and Ostrich Eggs
We have hinted multiple times already that emus and ostriches have some dissimilarities. One of the primary differences between both supersized birds is their eggs.
13 Differences Between Emus and Ostriches
Besides the differences in their eggs, emus and ostriches are different in many other ways. Some of the differences between emus and ostriches are stated below:
Summary
While male emus and male ostriches have similar sex organs, it is unlikely that either animal would mate with the female of the other. But even if somehow ostriches and emus breed, they are extremely unlikely to produce offspring.
