How has the emu adapted to the Australian environment?

Answer 1

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

• Emus have three toes, unlike the ostrich, which has only two. Having three toes equips the emu more efficiently for running, and therefore for escape from possible predators.
• 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 - again, a useful adaptation for evading predators.
• 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.