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| − | The '''Ostrich''' is the largest and heaviest living [[bird]]. It is also flightless bird, instead adapted for running. Its long, strong and efficient legs can cover large distances without much effort, and its feet have only two [[toe]]s for larger speed. Ostriches can burst into short impacts up to 43 miles per hour sprinting, and they know a constant speed of 31 miles per hour maintained. A straight one of an Ostrich can be 10 to 16 feet longer than many others. If danger threatens, ostriches can escape quite easily, by running away. They can defend themselves also: they have a 4-inch grip talon on each foot, and their efficient impact is enough to kill a lion. Though ostriches cannot fly, they do possess wings. Ostriches hold their wings out to adjust and help them run, particularly when suddenly changing direction. Their main use, although, God provides, is for communication while hopping around. To assert itself, the ostrich holds its head up straight and raises its wings and end feathers. In subordination, an ostrich will sink its head, with its wings and end feathers down. During the mating season, the black-and-white male uses his drastic color, in order to attract the light brown female. It sinks slowly to soil, nearly, bending its neck, and begins making a wavelike movement and shaking, starting with first one wing, then the other with its end feathers. The male then rises and moves toward the female, holding out its wings to continue impressing her. If she approves, mating commences.
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| − | The feathers of the ostrich are different than many other birds. They are soft, smooth, and loose. Because they do not all fold in the same direction, ostriches have a "shaggy" appearance. Their feathers may become soaked in the rain, and this is fine since ostriches have a special gland which produces oils for the feathers' resistance to rain. Ostriches may live in large herds, to help with their defense from predators. With their tall height and sharp sight they can see long distances. Thus, in a group, one is likely to see danger coming. Ostriches sometimes move in large groups of 100 or more, but most groups are smaller, normally approximately 10 birds or a straight male and female pair. The groups have a pecking order, with a dominating male, who patrols and defends an area and a dominating female, called the "main hen," who unites other females. Lonely males may come and go during the mating season. While nesting, the alpha hen while mate with the territorial male, and they divide the tasks of sitting on the eggs to the rest of the ostriches. The other females may mate with the same male or other males, but will keep their eggs in the same nest as the alpha couple. The main hen will lay her eggs in the center of the nest, in order to guarantee that they have the best probability of surviving, but many of other eggs will fit in the nest. Normally the main hen will sit on the nest during the day, then the male takes over and broods during the night. Some days after the eggs have hatched, they leave the nest, and begin scratching in the soil under the supervision of their parents. The adults will protect them under their wings, and protect them against sun and rain, and against [[carnivore]]s. Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. If an ostrich is in danger but cannot run away, it may bring its head close to the ground. From a distance it appears that the ostrich has buried its head in the sand, because only the body is visible.
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| − | Ostriches eat mostly plants, particularly roots, grass and seeds, but they also munch on [[insect]]s such as [[grasshopper]]s and small animals such as [[lizard]]s. When an ostrich eats, food is collected in the top of the throat, until there is a large enough lump to push down the chunk of food. Ostriches eat many things which other animals cannot digest. They have remarkably durable 46 foot long intestines used to absorb as many nutrients as possible. These large birds will eat sand, bark and small stones, which help to grind up food in their muscular [[stomach]]es. Ostriches do not need to drink water since they receive, which they need primarily from plants, although they will drink, if they come to a river. They have also a special way of raising their underwings on the hot days, in order to reduce loss of [[water]].
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| − | ==In the Bible==
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| − | The [[Bible]] mentions ostriches several times. [[Leviticus]] 11:13 states that is unclean and should not be eaten; Several verses[[Job]] 39 describe the bird as laying "her eggs in the earth, and warm[ing] them in dust", going on to describe the ostrich as neglectful of its young (Job 39:14-17). however the chapter goes on to say that the ostrich at full speed "scorneth the horse and rider" - it cannot be outrun. (39:18)
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| | [[Category:Birds]] | | [[Category:Birds]] |
| | [[Category:Biblical Animals]] | | [[Category:Biblical Animals]] |
