Since ostriches are the largest representatives of the bird tribe, it does not surprise anyone that the eggs that the female lays are also the largest in size. However, few people know that in comparison with the dimensions of the bird itself, that is, if we take into account the proportional ratio, the ostrich has the smallest eggs.
In this article we will tell you what the size of an ostrich egg is in centimeters, and also give some interesting facts from biology about the life of an amazing group of birds.
African ostrich
This bird is considered the only one of the representatives of the once very large family of Ostriches, which even in the late Pleistocene inhabited the lands of Africa and Arabia, Iraq and Iran, as well as other dry treeless spaces of the Middle East. Archaeological excavations suggest that ostriches live on the planet for more than 120 million years.
Birds that are similar in body structure, but differ in zoological classification — nandu and emu, which scientists once ranked as ostriches — actually belong to other families. The Nandu bird lives in South America, and the emu is the largest bird in the Australian mainland. At the same time, the Rhea, the Emu, and the African ostrich are similar in appearance and are considered the largest of the currently known flightless birds.
Appearance
Before we talk about what size an ostrich egg is, we will briefly dwell on how, in fact, this bird itself looks.
So, the ostrich has a strong skeleton, physically quite powerful, especially for the trunk and large long legs. Moreover, since the ostrich does not fly, it is characterized by the complete absence of a keel (outgrowth of the sternum in flying birds), and its pectoral muscles are poorly developed. All rat-free or smooth-breasted birds have underdeveloped wings, the fingers on which end with spur claws. The ostrich has a long neck, a small flattened head and a straight beak. The eyes are quite large, and the eyelashes of the upper eyelid are thick.
The weight of an adult is about 120 kg with an average height of 2.5 meters. It is clear that most of the last indicator falls on the neck and legs of the ostrich.
Habits
The ostrich survives due to its ability to develop a rather high speed when running (60-70 km per hour). Moving on its powerful legs, this bird makes jumps up to 4 meters long. In addition, the ostrich has excellent eyesight and can easily discern the impending danger. Another important point is the strength of his legs - sometimes one hit is enough to knock out even a lion.
African ostrich prefers to eat mainly plant foods - shoots and seeds, but on occasion does not disdain insects such as locusts. Sometimes an ostrich even eats carrion left by predators. In this case, the ostrich, like any animal that lives in desert conditions, can do without water for quite a long time. However, farmers breeding ostriches are well aware that these birds are not averse to swimming if given the opportunity.
Breeding
Due to the fashion for ostrich feathers, which were used to make fans, fans and plumes, these birds were almost exterminated, and now they can be found only in nature parks and farms, where they are specially bred. These farms are located in 50 countries of the world, although most of them are concentrated in the natural habitats of these birds - Central and South Africa.
Currently, ostriches are bred because of meat, which is recognized as dietary and containing a minimum of cholesterol, as well as skin, characterized by its elasticity and softness. Products made from it (shoes, haberdashery, clothing) do not lose their high qualities and do not wear out for almost three decades. Ostrich feathers and eggs continue to be highly valued - their contents due to their high nutritional value. The shell, which has considerable strength, is used, as before, for the manufacture of bowls and cups in Africa and Europe.
Ostrich egg weight and size
The length of the egg (depending on the age of the bird) is from 15 to 21 cm. The average size in coverage is about 15 cm. The maximum weight is 2 kg, but, as a rule, the average weight of the egg does not exceed 1.3 kg. If we take a chicken egg as an example, then its average weight is 50 g, hence the equivalence of these two products is obvious - it is 26.
To imagine the weight and size of an ostrich egg, take a look at the photo where chicken (medium in size) and quail (smallest) eggs are placed next to it.
The shell is thick (up to half a centimeter) and strong, it can withstand loads up to 120 kg. By the way, in order to punch a hole in the wall of his first house and get out, a little ostrich needs about an hour. And to open an egg at home, it is usually recommended to use (with all the necessary precautions) a chisel, a chisel or a small drill.
In appearance, the shell resembles porcelain somewhat - it is glossy and covered with micropores. The color of its surface depends on the breed and can be yellowish, cream, gray, less often pearl white.
The shell perfectly holds paint, which allows artists to create real masterpieces of decoupage.
Characteristics and Nutrition
Most of the weight of an ostrich egg is in protein. At the same time, it should be noted that in terms of fat saturation, an egg is similar to just one chicken, and its calorific value in percentage terms is much lower. For example, the proportion of saturated fat in a chicken egg is about 2 grams, while in ostrich they are completely absent. Just like cholesterol. In addition, the special composition of amino acids and proteins makes it a particularly valuable source of protein. By the way, the caloric content of an ostrich egg is lower than that of a chicken, and is estimated at 118 kilocalories per 100 g of product.
And although it is believed that the chicken and ostrich egg are identical in taste, the value of the second is obvious to all who appreciate healthy nutrition. That is why today more than ever the popularity of this product is great.
Now you know how much an ostrich egg weighs, the size of the egg itself, its nutritional properties.