Two knees or not two knees: The curious case of the ostrich's double kneecap

Date:  July 3, 2017

Source:  Society for Experimental Biology

Summary:  Ostriches are the only animals in the world to have a double-kneecap, but its purpose remains an evolutionary mystery. One of the authors said, "understanding more about different kneecap configurations in different animals could help to inform prosthesis design, surgical interventions, and even robots with better joints."

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World’s Biggest Birds Are Stellar Dads and Unusual Lovers

When it comes to child care and mating, ostriches, emus, and the like are, well, odd ducks.

By Liz Langley

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

When Nathan Young asked “What’s the difference between an emu and an ostrich?” Weird Animal Question of the Week decided to explore the whole group to which those birds belong, the flightless ratites.

As you’ll see, these birds are odd ducks (though there isn’t a duck in the bunch).

Big Birds Don’t Fly

The ratites include African ostriches and emus, cassowaries, and kiwis, all of the South Pacific and greater and lesser rheas of South America.

All ratites lack a keel, or an extension of the breastbone where flight muscles attach, says Rebecca Kimball, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Florida.

Kimball was co-author on a 2008 study showing that ratites likely lost the ability to fly independently of one another, rather than losing flight much earlier and getting to their diverse locations via continental drift, as previously thought.

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No birds allowed on President’s route!

JULY 18, 2014 BY MONITORING DESK

• Mamnoon Hussain’s protocol squad runs over an ostrich, leaves another injured at State Guest House in Karachi
• Wildlife and animal rights experts say ostrich’s death should be treated as an offence under the Pakistan Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1980 or the West Pakistan Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Rules 1961 

The protocol squad of President Mamnoon Hussain ran over two ostriches when it drove into the state guesthouse in Karachi two weeks ago, a media report said on Friday, adding that one ostrich had died while the other bird has been left on the premises of the guesthouse without medical care even though its wings are broken.

According to the report, the VVIP vehicles were entering the guesthouse when the incident took place. “The protocol team ordered that the dead ostrich be taken away from the guesthouse,” the report quoted an official as saying.

According to wildlife and animal rights experts, the ostrich’s death should be treated as an offence under the Pakistan Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1980 or the West Pakistan Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Rules 1961.

“We are not authorised to speak on this issue and I cannot confirm that the incident took place inside the guesthouse,” said Junaid Ahmed, a protocol officer to the president. He added that any further information about the accident could be gleaned from the Press Information Department (PID).

A senior PID official confirmed that one ostrich remains on the premises in injured condition and has not been treated.

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DO OSTRICHES SWIM? A RARE GLIMPSE OF THE BIRDS IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

They can't fly, but that's okay, because ostriches have picked up a new skill. According to the Daily Mail U.K., two of the birds were spotted swimming in the Atlantic Ocean near South Africa.

However, the ocean is a busy place and the ostriches' relaxing dip was soon interrupted by a fishing boat. The birds begrudgingly followed the boat back to shore, cutting short their swim time.

While catching an ostrich in the water is a rare sight, researchers say the animal does indulge in the wet stuff every so often. The birds especially enjoy a dip on hot days. They keep afloat by easily treading water with their lengthy legs.

Read on and watch video: http://www.pawnation.com/2012/11/15/do-ostriches-swim-a-rare-glimpse-of-the-birds-in-the-atlantic-o/