The Emu
- Emus have three toes. A 15cm long centre toe and sharp nail combined with a powerful forward kick makes for a powerful assault weapon.
- Their strong legs make them very fast runners. A sprinting emu can run at 48km/h or about 30 mph.
- Long, thick, double quilled feathers help the Emu maintain constant body temperature (approx 40 degrees). In cold weather it fluffs its feathers, trapping air and reducing heat loss (as with an insulating blanket). They have no sweat glands and may lose heat by panting.
- Emus have no teeth to grind up food so they swallow pebbles into the gizzard and the pebbles grind up the food like a mill. Emu eyes are covered with clear membranes like security blinds to protect them against dust and moisture loss.