Buzz
With natural defenses like their incredible speed, why are ostriches often perceived as fearful creatures that prefer fleeing over confronting threats?
Ingram Publishing/ThinkstockContrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand to escape danger. This myth is not only impractical—since they wouldn’t be able to breathe—but also unnecessary given their natural abilities.
Ostriches are the fastest bipedal animals, reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in short bursts to evade threats. They can also maintain a steady pace of 30 miles per hour for distances as long as 10 miles [source: Stewart].
In addition to their speed, ostriches possess other formidable defenses. Standing at nearly 9 feet tall and weighing around 350 pounds, they can deliver lethal kicks capable of taking down a lion [source: San Diego Zoo].
Ostriches possess numerous natural defenses, making the idea of them hiding unnecessary. So, how did the myth of them burying their heads in the sand begin? It likely stems from their parenting habits.
To start a family, ostriches dig large holes, 6 to 8 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet deep, to safely bury their eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, occasionally dipping their heads underground to gently rotate them with their beaks [source: American Ostrich Association]. This brief action might have sparked the myth of head-burying.
Another possible origin of the myth is the ostrich's defensive behavior. When sensing danger, a nesting ostrich may lie flat with its head and neck pressed to the ground, blending into the surroundings. However, its head never actually goes underground [source: San Diego Zoo].
Flopping to the ground is not the ostrich's first response to danger. It only resorts to this if fleeing or fighting isn't an option. When protecting eggs, the ostrich's instinct is to run, luring predators away. Their remarkable speed ensures they can outpace most threats, safeguarding both themselves and their eggs [source: American Ostrich Association].
