Somali Ostrich

## About

A male Somali ostrich.

    The Somali ostrich ***(Struthio molybdophanes)*** is a species of ostrich found most prolifically in Somalia and other Horn of Africa nations. Until 2014 the Somali ostrich was believed to be a subspecies of the common ostrich ***(Struthio camelus)*** we now know that the Somali ostrich is its own independent species. The Somali ostrich is differentiated from other ostrich subspecies because of the of the very apparent purplish-blue skin found on the males of the species during mating season, giving them the alternative name of the blue-necked ostrich. The blue hue acquired during the mating season makes the ostriches more desirable to potential mates. Somali ostriches share a standard appearance for ostriches other than their blue skin, having large black eyes and hot pink beaks, which are present in all other ostrich subspecies. Male Somali ostriches possess black plumage with white feathers on the tips of their wings and tail feathers, female Somali ostriches have dull brown and grey feathers all over their bodies and lack the characteristic blue of males. Somali ostriches have only two toes on each foot, this is a identifiable feature present in all ostrich subspecies, these two-toed feet allow better balance and weight distribution while running. Somali ostriches exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males growing to a height of 2.75m (9ft) and weighing (485-632lbs), while females are much smaller growing to a height of 1.74-1.9 (5.7-6.2ft) and weighing a much lighter 89-109kg (198-242lbs).

## Diet

Somali ostriches share the same diet as their relatives and eat plant roots, grains, and insects. They also eat lizards, rodents, snakes and even small mammals.

## Conservation Status

Somali ostriches are recognised as vulnerable by the IUCN. The reasoning for this classification is that the ostriches are often pushed out of their savanna shrubland homes by the development of agriculture. This spread of agriculture fragments the habitat of the Somali ostriches, and if left unregulated, it may lead to severe population fragmentation. According to Birdlife International, the Somali ostrich is also threatened by the poaching of its eggs. This egg poaching is usually to create water containers out of their eggs or the use of their eggs as ornaments for burial sites. The ostriches are also hunted throughout their range for their leather and feathers. Generally the Somali ostrich is also often shot for practice.

## Range and Population

    Somali ostriches are adapted to the dry, arid dunes and shrublands of sub-Saharan Africa. Somali ostriches and ostrich subspecies in general are well adapted for these harsh and unforgiving environments, having long muscular legs equipped for fast transport away from hostile predators, often abundant in their range. The distribution of the Somali ostrich reaches as far north as the northern coast of Djibouti and as far South as the subtropical regions of southern Kenya. Most prominently, the birds can be found in Somalia where they get their name sake. Due to the animal being reclassed as a standalone species compared to a subspecies in 2014, the exact population of the Somali ostrich is unknown as this reclassification created some altercations with the species' previously known population number. Though the population of the Somali ostrich is unknown, the species is in steep decline due to factors discussed previously, for the past 50 years.

## Behaviour

Somali ostriches are normally social birds, travelling in large herds. These herds have been decreasing in size due to the overhunting of the species however, herds of up to 40 individuals can still be found in the wild. A popular misconception about ostriches is that they stick their heads in sand when threatened, this is simply incorrect. In reality if an ostrich was to get its head underground it would most likely suffocate. If an ostrich does manage to be unable to run away from a pursuing predator, it will flop lifeless on to the ground, attempting to resemble the terrain around it. Somali ostriches will lay their eggs in what is called a 'dump-nest'. Dump-nests are communal nests where female Somali ostriches will lay their eggs, due to the communal nature of theses nests sometimes they can be found accommodating up to 60 ostrich eggs at a time. Both males and females of the group will alternate between which sex incubates the eggs until they have hatched. If a Somali ostrich cannot escape a predator, it will immediately start to kick at its foe. The muscular kick of the Somali ostrich can cause serious wounds, and each of the toes also have 10cm (4in) talons, to sever flesh.

### Relationship with Humans

As mentioned in Conservation Status, Somali ostriches are often hunted for sport in their range by humans. Humans also farm ostriches of all subspecies, in particular the Somali ostrich is farmed most plentifully in Kenya, where it is farmed for its eggs, feathers and meat. Ostrich farms also exist outside of Africa, also occurring in the Middle East and Australia. Ostrich meat is often said to be one of the healthiest red meats, being lean tender and even delicious according to the Ostrich Farms Australia. With these factors, Somali ostrich meat and other subspecies of ostrich meat have been labeled as environmentally sustainable.

## In Captivity

No Somali ostriches are currently present in any zoos worldwide. There are however, multiple ostrich farms in Kenya that house and farm Somali ostriches.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22732795/95049558
* Somali Ostrich | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali\_ostrich
* Ostrich Farms Australia | FAQ - https://ostrichaustralia.com.au/faq/#:~:text=Ostrich%20meat%20is%20one%20of,very%20lean%20and%20environmentally%20sustainable.
* Somali Ostrich | Birdlife International Datazone - http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/somali-ostrich-struthio-molybdophanes
* Somali Ostrich | Zambezi Safari and Travel Company - https://www.zambezi.com/blog/2015/somali-ostrich/#:~:text=The%20ostriches%20lay%20their%20eggs,between%2050%20and%2075%20years.