The Aruba Ostrich FarmA trip to the Aruba Ostrich Farm is a must for bird lovers or anyone else interested in learning about the largest birds in the world. These huge, flightless birds are quite pretty. Take a look at some of the pictures we have taken. I love their faces! The entrance fee is about 12.00 for adults and half that price for the kids as of right now. If you are going to visit, be sure to double check the prices in case mine are out of date.
Ostrich FactsOstrich are the largest and the heaviest birds in the world. They cannot fly but they do run. In fact, the ostrich is the world's fastest running bird. They can run at up to 43 miles per hour and they can beat most land animals, including the Leopard. Running, however, isn't their only defense. The ostrich packs a mean kick, it can actually kill a lion with a kick. They also have a huge 4 ft claw on their foot to help defend themselves when they have to.These birds can weigh anywhere from 63 to 130 kilograms, or 140 to 290 pounds. The males grow to the height of 1.8 and 2.8 metres, or 5 feet 9 inches to 9 feet 2 inches. The females are a bit shorter and can be from 1.7 to 2 metres, or 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 6 inches tall. The Ostrich chicks grow at an amazing rate at about 25 centimetres, or 9 feet 8 inches every month for the first year. By the time their first birthday comes along these chicks weigh about 45 kilograms or 99 pounds. And these big birds can live to be 70 years old! The Ostrich is also raised as a food animal. You would think the Ostrich meat is a white and dark meat, but it's red like beef. This meat is very low in fat and cholesterol, but very high in protein. This makes it about the healthiest meat you can ever eat. Take An Ostrich Farm TourYou can take a tour of the Aruba Ostrich Farm. The tours are given every 30 minutes. A guide walks you around the farm while talking about the Ostrich the entire time. You will also get a chance to see a cousin of the Ostrich, the emu. Your guide will give you facts about the size and life span, the speed and the mating, chick rearing and even the feeding habits of the Ostrich. You will learn things you never knew! You can also feed these big birds by hand. Make sure you listen to your guides instructions when you are going to feed the birds. The Ostrich are always hungry and are not shy about getting the food you are holding. We took pictures of Jeff, Jenn and Kris feeding the birds. It's so funny. Wait until you see the looks on their faces. You will also get to visit the incubators, the hatchery and the pens that hold the young ostriches. Did you know that the eggs are the biggest bird eggs you ever saw. They are usually around 15 centimetres or 5.9 inches long, and 13 centimetres, or 5.1 inches in width. Ostrich eggs weigh over 3 pounds. For an interesting look into the life of the world's largest bird, visit the Aruba Ostrich Farm at some point during your vacation to Aruba. To find out more about the Ostrich Farm in Aruba go to their web site at The Aruba Ostrich Farm.Go from the Aruba Ostrich Farm to Bonaire Beaches
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