What is an interesting feature of the emu?

Answer 1

There are many interesting features which the emu has. * 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 2

Emus are native to the continent and country of Australia.

Emus are omnivores, and they will eat anything that is remotely edible, including some things which are not. They are very curious birds that will try almost anything, using their large beaks to peck at and pick up food. Commonly, they eat insects, caterpillars, grubs and other invertebrates; seeds, nuts, flowers, fruits, young leaves and other plant parts; lizards, other small animals, eggs and even animal droppings. They do not eat dry grasses or older leaves, even if that's all that is available to them. They are more likely to move on to other food sources. Emus also swallow quite large stones and charcoal to help them digest their food.

Male and female emus pair up for breeding in the summer months of December and January. The male builds a nest in a shallow depression in the ground, lining it with bark, grass, twigs, and leaves.

During mid Autumn and early winter (April through to June), the female lays up to 8-10 large, thick-shelled dark green eggs, and sometimes the nests contain the eggs of several females. 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.

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 3

The emu has a number of special features which help it 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 4

There are many unique physical features which the emu has.

• 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.