Emu
The second tallest bird, after the Ostrich, the Emu is found in Australia. While its range covers most of the mainland, its close cousins which lived on the islands around Australia are all extinct.
They have soft brown feathers and cannot fly, though they can run at speeds of 30 miles per hour.
They can survive weeks without eating, and drink infrequently (though they drink a lot when they do drink).
Eggs hatch after 8 weeks, and young are fully grown at around 6 months, though they usually stay with the unit until the next breeding season.
While overall there are enough to list this species as least concern, it is not as rosy everywhere, with the Tasmanian Emu dying out in around 1800.
There are 3 currently surviving subspecies with 3 others extinct.
Their population lies between 625,000 and 725,000
Below is our usual roundup of articles on this species, unfortunately, given the length of the name, it is likely to appear within other names. Below this, you will find any links to aid in seeing this animal (as we make them)
The end of Whaling in Iceland, end of an era, or sensible financial move
- Tim
- December 23, 2023
Whaling went on for centuries, in many parts of the world. One of these was Iceland, where due to the latitude, it is often hard to grow much food. Iceland...
UK could quit ‘Climate wrecking’ treaty’ – encouraging, must see more
- Tim
- September 7, 2023
The treaty in question is called the Energy Charter Treaty, and apparently if changes are not made by November we will look at exiting.
European farmers are suggesting that wolves have recovered too much, is that true?
- Tim
- September 6, 2023
There is heavy pressure to end wolf protection in the EU because farmers are suggesting that they have recovered to too great a degree.
The UK has said that pure petrol and diesel cars will be banned from sale – impact? Electric cars are increasingly affordea
- Tim
- September 5, 2023
Arguments against electric cars continue, from suggestions that the range they have is not high enough, the batteries do not last long enough, they are worse for the environment, they...
The changing fortunes of Cheetah and wild dog
- Tim
- September 16, 2022
When we trained in the Kruger, there were about 70 cheetah and about 350 wild dog. 15 years later there were over 400 cheetah, and nearer 500 wild dog.
Maybe the British red squirrel is not doomed on mainland britain?
- Tim
- January 31, 2022
At the moment, red...
Corona-virus threat to primate species
- Tim
- April 6, 2020
Humans have pushed the majority of wild primates into small spaces, where the total population might number only a thousand or far less.