Southern Cassowary

Habitat
Rainforest, swamp forest, mountain forest.
Wild Diet
Vegetation, fruit, berries, insects, spiders and small vertebrates.
Behaviour
The cassowary is an impressive bird with powerful legs which are armed with sharp-toed feet capable of inflicting severe wounds. It is a rapid runner and good swimmer. Shy and semi-nocturnal, they are seldom seen in the wild, but are known to be extremely aggressive towards man.
Breeding
The female lays between 3 - 5 eggs in a shallow nest in the ground. The male incubates the eggs for 49 - 52 days and cares for the chicks.
Threats
Non-native animals introduced by man, habitat destruction.
Conservation
The cassowary has world-wide legal protection. Paignton Zoo is involved in a conservation breeding programme.


INFORMATION
- Latin Name: Casuarius casuarius
- Class: Birds
- Order: Casuariiformes
- Family: Casuariidae
- Conservation status: Least Concern


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