How does an emu adapt to its environment?

Answer 1

Emus occur in all Australian states except Tasmania. They can be found almost anywhere in the country except within urban areas, although they can be found on the outskirts of these areas.

Emus range from coastal areas, where they are becoming increasingly rarer due to developments and roads, to the sub-Alpine regions. therefore, they can take a range of temperatures from cool-temperate to hot-temperate.

They are most common in New South Wales, in open scrubland and grasslands. They are also found in areas where agriculture has overtaken the natural habitat, particularly if there is a ready water source.

They are not found in open, sandy desert areas of Australia's central west, due to lack of shelter and the insufficient food source for such a large bird. They are notfound in rainforest regions or closed forest. Unlike many of Australia's native creatures, the emu does need a ready supply of water, so emus are not found in the desert.

Answer 2

Emus generally find partners in summer, December-January, and breed in the winter months, May-August. If conditions are bad, such as a severe drought, emus may not breed at all, or the female may only lay a few eggs. In excellent conditions she may lay a larger than usual clutch of eggs. The large green eggs are laid gradually over several days, usually 5-9 days. The female then leaves and the male sits on the eggs for 8 weeks until they hatch. He hardly leaves the nest, and does not eat much during this time. The chicks are cream coloured, with dark stripes running from head to tail. The chicks stay with the male for about 18 months. He misses the next breeding season. The female does not stay with the eggs or chicks. Because the climate may be harsh, it takes a while for her to regain her energy so that she is ready to breed in the next season with a different male.

Answer 3

They are very curious. They peck at and pick up anything that gets their attention. They hiss and do a snake-like dance when they are frightened. They run away to avoid danger.
Further information:

Probably the most unusual habit an emu has is its curiosity. Always on the search for something interesting to eat, and in need of aids to its digestion, the emu will ingest all sorts of unusual objects besides the usual pebbles. Emu stomachs have been found to contain nails and metal. Aborigines found they just had to lie in long grass and wave something unusual and colourful above the grass to attract a curious emu.

Answer 4

The natural habitat of the emu can be found in Australia. Emus occur in all Australian states except Tasmania. They can be found almost anywhere in the country except within urban areas, although they can be found on the outskirts of these areas.

Emus range from coastal areas, where they are becoming increasingly rarer due to developments and roads, to the sub-Alpine regions. therefore, they can take a range of temperatures from cool-temperate to hot-temperate.

They are most common in New South Wales, in open scrubland and grasslands. They are also found in areas where agriculture has overtaken the natural habitat, particularly if there is a ready water source.

They are not found in open, sandy desert areas of Australia's central west, due to lack of shelter and the insufficient food source for such a large bird. They are notfound in rainforest regions or closed forest. Unlike many of Australia's native creatures, the emu does need a ready supply of water, so emus are not found in the desert.

Answer 5

Nosy to the point of being annoying, emus are not at all shy around people, they actually prefer it, but their nature to examine thing with their beaks, could catch someone off guard, especially if you don't know their individual personality. Yes they all develop personalities, some quiet and reserved, other out going and gregarious.

Answer 6

The emu has a number of adaptations which enhance its ability to survive in Australia's many and varied climates.

• Emus have three toes, unlike the ostrich, which has only two. Having three toes equips the emu more efficiently for running.
• Emus have a unique defence capability: when running at top speed, the structure of their feet enables them to make sudden 180-degree turns which not even a small cat can do: by the time larger creatures in pursuit slow enough to make the turn, the emu is 50-60 metres ahead in the opposite direction.
• Emus have strong endurance, being able to run at a steady, loping pace for a long time.
• When food is plentiful, emus can store extra fat, which they may then rely on as they move on to a new food source.
• Emus are nomadic, moving between food sources. They are therefore not restricted to living in just one area, dying out when drought creates severe food shortage.
• The nature and structure of emu feathers provides insulation for them during the heat of the day.
• Emus are effective swimmers. This is important in a land where floods can occur swiftly and withour warning.
• Emus have an inflatable neck sac, which enables them to make a loud drumming, or booming sound. These calls can be heard from a couple of kilometres away, allowing emus communication between each other over long distances.

Answer 7

In their natural state, an emu's lifestyle consists of walking and running through open grasslands and plains, pecking at anything that happens to arouse its curiosity.

The lifestyle of a farmed emu consists of walking and running through enclosures, pecking at anything that happens to arouse its curiosity.