We may think that we know everything there is to know about ostriches, but sometimes we have an epiphany; we’re struck by a sharp understanding, somber and clear, and we realize that we actually know nothing about the terrifyingly vast world of ostriches. This also may or may not lead us to think we know nothing of the world at large. So, to stop us from spiraling down an epistemological rabbit hole, we’ve decided to list some of our favorite ostrich facts. We can only hope that they deliver us into an age of unwavering certainty and confidence.
Ostriches lay their eggs underground.
Gettyimages / Buena Vista Images / Roylaty-free
Coincidentally, this is also the reason why bury their faces in the dirt. Yeah, you may have heard that this is something they do out of gut-wrenching fear, but in reality, ostriches pluck their heads into the ground in order to move their kin while they’re busy spawning.
Ostrich eggs are huge!
Gettyimages / Francois Guillot / AFP
In fact, they’re the largest eggs in the world, averaging a size of approximately 15cm long and weighing up to a staggering 1.5kg. In one full breeding cycle, a female ostrich can lay up to 11 whole eggs. Did you hear that? That’s like a woman giving birth to eleven miniature babies, which is absolutely insane. The lesson we should all take away from this is that ostriches are tough as nails and are also alarmingly gifted at delivering babies. Good for them!
The anatomy of an ostrich is actually pretty sick.
Gettyimages / Maria Cristina Gonzalez / EyeEm
Yeah, we all thought ostrich anatomy is lame. Could you imagine our surprise when we found out that the anatomy of an ostrich is actually pretty baller? Like, they grow up to around 8″8 feet tall, which makes them the world’s largest bird. Also, adult ostriches weigh approximately 350 pounds. And despite their monolithic body, their running speed is about 43 miles per hour. Which makes them zoomer birds (as in, they’ll zoom right past you… get it?)
