There are 150,000 ostriches living in Africa, so why are lions rarely seen eating ostriches? Could it be that an ostrich can kick a lion's ribs?
In the evolutionary history of birds, some members gradually lost their talent for flying, and ostriches were one of them. Their large bodies, stiff and powerful feet, and the appearance of the honey badger, which resembles the famous African warrior "Flathead", make the ostrich a unique existence.
The ancestors of ostriches, who once galloped above the blue sky, have gradually adapted to the running life on the ground after hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Not only did they lose their passport to the sky, but they also created a legend of running on land.
In order to adapt to the needs of life on the ground, the ostrich has become larger to reduce air resistance and enhance stability; Their long legs have also become longer and more powerful, allowing them to take more strides and run faster.
The structure of the ostrich's foot has also changed dramatically, and the toes have become thicker and thicker, which provides them with strong support. Such toes are suitable for running on sand or soft ground without sagging, increasing their efficiency when chasing prey or evading danger.
Their weight and size have also increased, which has undoubtedly strengthened their ability to defend themselves against predators. With its thick bones and muscles, the ostrich is a veritable king of the desert.
When it comes to the running skills of land creatures, ostriches definitely come out on top. Not only can they easily reach high speeds of 50 kilometers per hour in a short period of time, but they can also burst into an astonishing speed of 70 kilometers per hour when necessary. Each step is an astonishing 3.5 metres, which is unique among all birds.
This powerful running ability allows the ostrich to easily prey on small animals, while also quickly escaping from potential dangers, thus ensuring its own survival and safety.
In everyday life, ostriches exhibit their unique social customs. Although the group system is not rigid, they will stick together when foraging for food or escaping predators.
Relatively less territorial, but they still maintain a certain amount of randomness when foraging and moving. As omnivores, ostriches eat mainly plants, but also small animals such as mollusks and small birds.
When it comes to defense, the ostrich is undoubtedly a formidable force. Their tall stature gives them a wide range of visions, allowing them to spot potential threats early. Their keen alertness allows them to react quickly to danger. Those thick and powerful legs contain amazing power, and once activated, they are enough to kick and break the opponent's ribs.
Despite their strength, ostriches are rarely the object of lion prey. Although lions and ostriches live in the same place, lions do not use ostriches as a major part of their daily food sources. On the other hand, the meat of ostriches is mainly concentrated in the center of the torso, and the legs and neck account for more than half of the proportion, leaving less meat and quite troublesome to handle.
The excellent escape speed of the ostrich also causes great difficulty for the lion to prey, the speed of the ostrich can reach more than 65 kilometers per hour, although the lion can reach this speed by running with all its might, but the lion's endurance is poor, they are not suitable for long-distance running, and the ostrich can run at high speed for at least ten minutes, which makes it very difficult for the lion to hunt the ostrich.
Ostriches survive on the continent in a unique way, creating a unique chapter of nature with their remarkable characteristics, strong adaptability and indomitable life.
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Source: "Ostrich meat is abundant and abundant, why are few lions preying on ostriches?" Can't beat or can't catch up? The Paper
