Ostriches

The ostrich has a long neck, with long legs and two toes. The ostrich has an inner toe that has long, sharp nails to help it run on the ground. The ostrich is flightless, but it still has wings to steer itself. Ostriches live in hot, dry places like deserts and savannas. It also lives in open woodlands. Ostriches have many predators like cheetahs, lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, African Wild Dogs, coyotes and many more. Ostriches have two main defence mechanisms to protect themselves from predators and danger. When it is near predators, it either uses speed or camouflage as a defence mechanism.

Ostriches use camouflage as a defence mechanism to protect themselves from predators. Ostriches use camouflaging to avoid being noticed by predators. Camouflaging makes the ostrich look like its head is in the sand, but it really puts its head on top of the sand. It makes it hard to notice because its light tan skin camouflages in the sand. The predator would react to its defence mechanism by not pursuing the ostrich. Camouflaging is a useful defence mechanism to help protect ostriches.

Ostriches also use speed as a defence mechanism to protect itself from predators. The ostrich uses speed when predators are nearby. Ostriches run up to 70 kilometers. They are the fastest birds. Ostriches also have a strong, inner toe that helps the ostrich run fast when chased. The predator would react by chasing the ostrich until it gets tired, gives up, or succeeds in its its chase. Speed is another useful defence mechanism ostriches use to defend itself.

Ostriches are interesting creatures. They have defence mechanisms that keep them safe from predators to help them survive. The ostrich defends itself by using camouflage and speed as two of its defence mechanisms.

By Navya Singh