The common ostrich is the largest and heaviest bird on Earth, native to the open country, savannas, and deserts of Africa. Adult males stand up to nine feet tall and weigh between 220 and 300 pounds. They possess the largest eyes of any land animal, allowing them to spot potential threats across vast distances. Ostriches do not possess the physiological ability to spit in the targeted, forceful manner of some other animals.
Addressing the Myth: Why Ostriches Don’t Truly Spit
The act of true spitting involves the specialized, deliberate projection of saliva, mucus, or venom. Ostriches lack the necessary anatomical structures for this behavior, unlike mammals such as camels or llamas. These camelids forcefully project a foul mixture of saliva and partially digested stomach contents as a powerful defensive action. The ostrich’s digestive and oral anatomy is not configured for such a targeted defense.
A bird’s mouth is primarily adapted for pecking and swallowing, not for creating the pressure needed for a directed stream of liquid. The common misconception likely stems from a rare defensive reaction involving the digestive tract contents, which observers confusingly label as “spitting.”
The Behavior Confused with Spitting: Defensive Regurgitation
What is often mistaken for spitting is defensive regurgitation of stomach contents, which is a stress response rather than a precision attack. When severely threatened, cornered, or handled, the ostrich may suddenly empty its foregut. It expels a mass of partially digested plant matter and other stomach contents, which is a repulsive, foul-smelling substance, not saliva.
This sudden expulsion serves as a deterrent, creating a distraction that can momentarily repel a predator or handler. The purpose of this action is purely defensive, aimed at making the bird an unappealing target. While the ostrich does not aim this material, the rapid, forceful nature of the vomiting can scatter the contents over a short distance.
Ostrich Defense Strategy: Running and Kicking
The ostrich’s primary and most effective defense mechanism is sheer speed and explosive power. As the fastest two-legged animal on Earth, a frightened ostrich can achieve sprint speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. Their long, powerful legs allow them to cover 10 to 16 feet in a single stride, ensuring escape from most predators on the open savanna.
If running is not an option, such as when cornered or defending a nest, the ostrich will resort to a formidable physical defense. Their legs are engineered for impact, delivering a downward, forward thrusting kick with enough force to seriously injure or even kill a large predator. The powerful legs end in feet with only two toes, the larger of which is equipped with a long, sharp claw that acts like a dagger.