If you’re headed to the Academy of Sciences soon, don’t miss the baby ostriches that are on site as part of the Earthquake: Life on a Dynamic Planet exhibit that opened in May.
The babes are not just there to look cute, but also to serve as a reminder of the effect that earthquakes have on the evolution of species.
The ostrich’s closest relatives are other flightless birds such as rheas, emus, and kiwis that evolved on separate continents – a direct result of the supercontinent “Pangea” splitting apart thanks to continental drift. So these cute little birds are there to illustrate how earthquake and evolution affect each other.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, science is interesting but these guys are just CUTE! Thanks to my Mom for sending in the snaps.
Sarah B.
58 day old ostriches
Here’s video of one pooping!:
https://picasaweb.google.com/105142737944530674306/BabyOstriches#5768236937350495058
Correction to your caption – those chicks are only 58 days old, not 58 weeks!
Thanks for catching the typo CalStaff!
Sarah B.