Emu FactsAbout the animals at Clark's Elioak Petting Farm
Emus
The EMU at our farm is named MU!!
Mu was raised by his first owner from an egg in Middle River, Maryland. He lived through Hurricane Isabella which flooded the backyard of his home.
Mu is 11 years old. His favorite foods are tomatoes and watermelon.
Emus are birds, but cannot fly. Emus come from Australia.
FUN FACTS ABOUT EMUS
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. They come from Africa. The emu, from Australia, is the second largest of all birds, attaining a height of 5 to 6 feet and a weight of 100 to 130 lb.
Two feathers grow out of each opening in the skin.
The emu has brownish-black feathers and very small wings that are hidden in the thick feathers. The skin of the neck and head are a beautiful bluish color.
The emu's long legs make it a very swift runner. They can run as fast as 31 mph.
Emus eat green plants and fruit. In Australia, they are considered pests because they eat crops and break down sheep fences.
The female emu lays 8 to 10 eggs.
The large eggs (3.5 inches by 5 inches) have a rough shell and are black or dark green in color.
Several females may lay eggs in a single nest.
The male emu sits on the eggs until they hatch in about 8 weeks. He survives on his accumulated body fat and any morning dew he can reach. He stands up only to turn the eggs, about 10 times a day.
Emus also eat insects, including caterpillars.