Do you really want to know the answer "How Fast Can an Ostrich Run?" and the factors behind its speed, then stay with us.
Ostrich is one of the heaviest and fastest birds on earth that can run faster than any other bird living on the planet.
The main characteristic of every bird is that it can fly. In the case of the ostrich, it can run faster than other land animals but can't fly like birds.
Ostrich Running Facts
Top Speed of Ostrich By Species
There are two kinds of Ostrich species that live on earth (Common Ostrich & Somali), the fact both can achieve the same top speed of 70km/h (45 Miles) and can maintain a 51km/h average speed for long-distance running.
Top Speed: 74 km/h
Scientific Name: Struthio camelus
Mass: 63 - 140 kg (Adult Age)
Animal Family: Struthionidae
Top Speed: 74 km/h
Mass: 105 kg (Adult Age)
Animal Family: Struthionidae
What Makes Ostrich Run Faster? (Physical Appearance)
We counter Cheetah and Antelopes are the fastest land animals on earth having 130 & 90 km/h top speeds.
Here we are talking about a bird that should have a specialty in flying techniques but here it is the fastest runner bird on earth. It's very obvious its physical appearance helps it to run faster to maintain the speed of 70km/h.
If we talk about the human species we are very slow as compared to animals like antelopes, Chetaahs as well Ostriches. That's because of the structural condition of our body, It can't allow us to run so faster like other fastest animals or birds on earth.
Let's find out the body parts that make ostrich run faster...
Elastic Legs:
The legs of ostriches are 40 to 55cm long and have much more elasticness than human legs. Which provides better flexibility and helps the ostrich to jump long distances in a single attempt.
Upper Leg Muscles:
Strength is the prime factor for an ostrich to run faster. When it attempts to take a long jump with its elastic legs, The upper leg muscles bear the whole body of the ostrich and help its legs to swing forward and backward to maintain the speed.
Wings:
Wings are not the prime aspect of the speed of the ostrich but its 2 meters of wings help it to maintain its balance at running. In short, wings are very essential for ostriches to change direction and help from falling.
Weight of Ostrich:
Ostrich is the weightiest bird on the earth and it is the major barrier that never ostrich to fly like birds.
The Technique of Running (Speed of An Ostrich)
Ostriches are omnivorous in nature and they never eat any special kinds of food. They eat both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and also depend on the forest for habitat.
They are very good runners after cheetahs & antelopes. They are very heavy in weight to fly but very lite to run.
Its lite round Physical body structure has been built to run faster and powerful legs to swing forward and backward to jump longer distances.
They never run for fun or entertainment, they use to collect food to go aboard territory or protect themselves from predators. So speed is not enough to protect themselves from predators, So their wings help them to maintain the balance and movement of their body while chasing hunters.
Their life is not easier than it seems, They search and collect food and shelter by using their special ability "Speed". As you know Ostriches can't fly and it makes them hard to track the food to live. That's why they run and it makes them the fastest-running bird on earth.
Also Read: 50 Useful Animal Trivia Questions and Answers for Kids [Easy / Hard]