GOING, GOING, GONE: OSTRICHES, PART TWO

(Source of picture:  Florida State Archives)

Plump-Rumped Contestants ~ Forget the chariot race in "Ben-Hur":  Spectators used to thrill to the sight of big bird races!  This old Jacksonville postcard features an ostrich cart with an African American driver.  It dates from between 1901 and 1907.  During races, jockeys could ride an ostrich, or the big birds could be harnessed either singly or in pairs to a cart.  Please see the info below.

CLICK HERE FOR ANOTHER OSTRICH CART

CLICK HERE FOR YET ANOTHER OSTRICH CART

CLICK HERE FOR MAN RIDING AN OSTRICH 

Fast Facts about Ostriches

• The gawky birds are the second fastest land animal in the world.  They can speed along at 40 miles per hour, and they can maintain this pace for at least 30 minutes.  Only cheetahs can outrun an ostriches.
   

• Ostriches feature enormous feathers, but they can't fly.

• Ostriches produce the strongest commercially available leather in the world, as well as some of the most gorgeous feathers.
   

• Ostriches are not an endangered species, since there are at least 2 million worldwide.
   

• Ostrich meat is a red meat.  It's almost fat free, and it's very low in calories & cholesterol.  It resembles beef, and you cook it almost the same way.  Ostrich meat, though, has its own distinctive flavor. You may've had the chance to try it, since several Jacksonville restaurants have recently served it.

• Ostriches can boast of the best feed-to-weight ratio gain of any land animal in the world.  Farmers raise them in at least 50 countries.  Ostrich ranches can be found from Africa to Alaska.

• Ostriches look through the largest eyes of any land animal.  Each eye can measure up to 2 inches in diameter.
   

• Don't believe one old myth: Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand.

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