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(Image credit: Getty/Wokephoto17/Alamy/ Trevor Collens)
Call: Southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius
Where it lives: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and northeastern Australia
What it consumes: Fruit, seeds, fungis, pests, snails, fish, frogs, little birds, little mammals and carrion
Why it’s remarkable: The southern cassowary is among the most prehistoric-looking birds in the world. They are frequently compared to a modern-day dinosaur due to their huge size, brilliant colouration and effective, raptor-like feet, making them the title of the “world’s most dangerous birds.”
Belonging to tropical jungles, the southern cassowary is the heaviest flightless bird in Australia and the second-heaviest worldwideafter the typical ostrich (Struthio camelus. These birds can mature to 5.6 feet (1.7 meters) high and come from the ratite group, that includes ostriches, emus and kiwis, according to the San Diego Zoo Fossil proof and hereditary research studies recommend that cassowaries have actually existed in some type for 10s of countless years.
Among the cassowary’s most prehistoric-looking functions is its feetEach foot has 3 toes, with the inner toe bearing a dagger-like claw that can mature to 5 inches (12 centimeters) long. These claws aren’t simply for program; they’re capable of providing effective, slashing kicks that can hurt or perhaps eliminate prospective risks, consisting of people. Their legs are incredibly muscular and adjusted for fast, powerful motions, which assists them blast predators, such as crocodiles and pythons.
Cassowaries likewise have a striking and uncommon look. Their heads and necks are bare and clearly colored in tones of blue and red, however their bodies are covered in coarse, black plumes that look more like hair than common bird plumage. This coat offers security from sharp thorns and branches as they move through thick greenery.
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The huge birds likewise have brightly-coloured pouches of flesh, called wattles, that hang below their necks. These are believed to assist cassowaries passed on social hints to others: For example, if they shake their heads and clap their wattles it might signify territorial aggressiveness.
They likewise have big, helmet-like structures called ‘casques’ on top of their heads. The precise function of the casque is still discussed amongst biologists, however research study recommends these structures function as “thermal windows,” or radiators, permitting the bird to launch excess heat in heat and save it in cooler conditions. It might likewise magnify and direct the birds’ low-frequency calls, assisting them interact over cross countries.
Unlike numerous animal types, male cassowaries are the main caretakers for their offspring. They rest on their eggs for about 50 days and when the eggs have actually hatched, they tend to their chicks for around 9 months.
Regardless of their terrifying label, cassowaries are usually shy and evasive and choose to prevent conflict and individuals when possible. Attacks can sometimes occur if cassowaries are approached by people.
In 2019, a guy in Florida was eliminated by a cassowary that he was keeping as an animal. This was the very first reported casualty in nearly 100 years.
Hannah Osborne is the world Earth and animals editor at Live Science. Prior to Live Science, she worked for a number of years at Newsweek as the science editor. Before this she was science editor at International Business Times U.K. Hannah holds a master’s in journalism from Goldsmith’s, University of London.
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