Everyone knows that ostriches are speedsters, but are they the fastest birds? Another large flightless bird is the cassowary. Unlike ostriches, which inhabit open savannas and deserts, cassowaries live in dense forests, less suitable for short-distance running. However, the speed and athleticism of the cassowary may surprise you. Let’s dive into the speed of cassowaries. How fast do they run and is it faster than an ostrich?
How fast can a cassowary run?
Cassowaries live in dense rainforests that are difficult to escape. However, cassowaries have several adaptations that allow them to maneuver through forests at amazing speed.
- Their “helmet”: Look at the image of the cassowary above, the “helmet” on its head is actually known as a helmet. A cassowary hat can reach 7 inches in length. it’s the same hourard, as it basically consists of the same substance as rhino horn, keratin. Helmets serve a functional purpose, as cassowaries run through dense forests, they lower their heads, and cassowaries clear a path through branches and other vegetation.
- Incredibly strong legs: Move over to LeBron James, a new high jump athlete has arrived! Cassowaries can jump up to 7 feet in the air from a spot – high enough for an adult to walk underneath. These incredibly powerful legs help cassowaries develop impressive speed.
Thanks to these devices, cassowaries can run. up to 31 mph (50 km). How does this top speed compare to other large birds?
Cassowary Speed Vs. Ostrich speed
Cassowaries are impressive birds, but can they overtake an ostrich? The short answer is no. Ostriches are the fastest birds in the world and can sprint speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (70 km). Even more impressive, an ostrich can maintain a speed equivalent to the maximum speed of a cassowary for miles range.
Among the cassowaries, there is another large flightless bird that lives in Australia, the emu. The emu habitat, which includes deserts and shrublands, promotes greater escape from predators and threats. Although the top speed of emus is often quoted at around 30 mph, it is likely that they can also outrun the cassowary in a race.
Notably, large flightless bird species such as the ostrich, emu and cassowary survive today, while the larger flightless birds, which were slower like the elephant and moa, have become extinct. We can most likely thank the cassowaries in the remote habitat and quick evasiveness for their continued survival upon their first encounter with human hunters!
