Emu
| Emu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Casuariiformes |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Casuariidae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Dromaius |
| Species Information | |
| Species | D. novaehollandiae |
| Population statistics | |
| Population | 630,000-725,000 (2018 est.)[1] |
| Conservation status | Least concern[2] |
Emus are large flightless birds similar to small ostrichs. Emus are native to Australia where they eat seeds, insects, and shrubs. The Emu is featured on the Australian Coat of Arms along with the Kangaroo.
Description
Emus are large, with a standing height of 59 to 75 inches, a length of 55 to 65 inches, and weigh 40 to 132 pounds. Males and females look very similar, with females on average, being slightly larger, heavier and darker than males.
Subspecies
There are four subspecies of emu; the nominate on the mainland, and three island subspecies which were hunted to extinction in the 19th century. In addition, a proposal has been made for two additional mainland subspecies (D. n. rothschildi and D. n. woodwardi) based on minor differences in coloration, a claim not fully accepted by all authorities.
- Dromaius novaehollandae baudinianus; Kangaroo Island (extinct, 1827)
- Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis; Tasmania (extinct, 1850)
- Dromaius novaehollandiae minor; King Island (extinct, 1805)
- Dromaius novaehollandiae novaehollandiae; Australian mainland
Origins
According to the origins theory model used by creation scientists, emus, like all flightless, non-aquatic birds, originated in the Middle East and are the descendants of the two emus that were taken aboard Noah's Ark prior to the Great Flood. Also according to creation science theories, after the Flood, emus bred from the Ark passengers then migrated to Australia. There is debate whether this migration happened over land[3] as it is thought that Australia was still for a time after the Flood connected to the Middle East before the supercontinent of Pangea broke apart[4] or if they rafted on mats of vegetation torn up by the receding flood waters.[3] The theory that God simply generated emus into existence is considered by most creation researchers to be contra-Biblical.