The ostrich

Among the giraffes, zebra and gazelles that roam the vast African savanna, perhaps the most remarkable creature is the ostrich. Standing about 2.5 meters tall and weighing up to 155 kilograms, the ostrich is the largest bird in existence. No one can fail to be awed and fascinated by the bird great height, powerful legs and beautiful fluffy feathers. Like camel, the ostrich is tolerant of high temperature and thrives in desert country. It also has long luxuriant eyelashes which protect its large eyes from the dust of the Bushveld's. Its legs are long and sinewy and its feet are strong and fleshy. Seeing the ostrich strutting about in the open plains, observe are amazed as its agility and endurance. The ostrich is omnivorous, feeding on almost anything that creeps or crawls. It also dines on insects, snakes, rodent, root and mist vegetation. Because of it great size and weight, it cannot fly. However, its muscular legs are powerful enough to make it one if the fasted creatures on earth. Running across desert country, it can attain speeds of up to 65 kilometers an hour! This extraordinary swiftness and its long distance stamina enable it to out run many of the fastest four legged predators with ease. The eggs of the ostrich are the largest in the world and can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms each. Each egg is the equivalent of 25 hens egg. The shell is hard and glossy and has a glazed porcelain like finish. The empty Shell is sometimes used as a container by bushmen's for storing water.