Emus are the second tallest birds on Earth, reaching up to 5 feet tall—just shy of the mighty ostrich. Native to the savannas and forests of Australia, these flightless birds are built for speed, running at impressive speeds across their habitats.

While males are typically smaller, females tend to have larger hind ends. Their diet is diverse, consisting of plants, seeds, and insects—perfect for their wide-ranging appetite.

Female emus lay a clutch of 5-15 large, dark green eggs, each weighing over a pound! After the eggs are laid, the male takes over, incubating them non-stop for 8 weeks. During this time, he loses about 1/3 of his body weight caring for the eggs until they hatch!

Here at the zoo, we care for a pair of emus. They enjoy a healthy diet of ostrich pellets and oyster shell to maintain strong bones. For enrichment, they love their pools, water misters, and sand for bathing—perfect for keeping them cool and content!