How do emus protect their babies?

Answer 1

The emus' breeding season begins at the end of Autumn and goes through to Spring, so in Australia, this is from about May to October.

A clutch of emu eggs averages around 10-12 eggs, but these are not necessarily from the same female. The male, who incubates the eggs, may court more than one female for the nest he builds. He builds a nest in a shallow depression in the ground, lining it with bark, grass, twigs, and leaves.

The male incubates the eggs, during which time he does not eat, drink, or pass any waste matter, surviving only on accumulated body fat. The male stays on the nest twenty-four hours a day, standing only every couple of hours to turn the eggs.

It takes between 56-60 days for the eggs to hatch. The chicks, which are distinctly striped and unique in appearance, stay with the father for 5-7 months.

Young emus reach sexual maturity between 2 and 3 years of age. The average lifespan of emus can be 10 to 20 years.