Today is that special day every year in which we celebrate Australia's coolest bird, the cassowary!
Cassowaries are indigenous to the rainforest of northern Australia, New Guinea, and the surrounding islands. While they are omnivorous, they primarily eat fruit, which they swallow whole. The fruit travels quickly through the cassowary's digestive system, leaving the seeds intact. Cassowaries are considered a keystone species of the local rainforests due to their role in dispersing the seeds of local plant life.
Cassowaries are very territorial. Male cassowaries inhabit territories of about seven square kilometers, with females having territories that overlap several males. Cassowaries have a long, dagger-like claw attached to the end of powerful legs, which are used to kick adversaries. Cassowaries are considered dangerous, and there have been hundreds of reported cassowary attacks.
Cassowary eggs are green, about 3 inches by 5 inches in size, and laid three to eight at a time. A male cassowary incubates the eggs for about 50 days, then cares for the young for nine months. After the young mature, they set off to find their own territory.
I hope you enjoyed learning a little about the cassowary, and join me in celebrating April 1st as Cassowary Day!
Cassowaries are indigenous to the rainforest of northern Australia, New Guinea, and the surrounding islands. While they are omnivorous, they primarily eat fruit, which they swallow whole. The fruit travels quickly through the cassowary's digestive system, leaving the seeds intact. Cassowaries are considered a keystone species of the local rainforests due to their role in dispersing the seeds of local plant life.
Cassowaries are very territorial. Male cassowaries inhabit territories of about seven square kilometers, with females having territories that overlap several males. Cassowaries have a long, dagger-like claw attached to the end of powerful legs, which are used to kick adversaries. Cassowaries are considered dangerous, and there have been hundreds of reported cassowary attacks.
Cassowary eggs are green, about 3 inches by 5 inches in size, and laid three to eight at a time. A male cassowary incubates the eggs for about 50 days, then cares for the young for nine months. After the young mature, they set off to find their own territory.
I hope you enjoyed learning a little about the cassowary, and join me in celebrating April 1st as Cassowary Day!
