Emu: The Modern Dinosaur - Raising Emus for Farming, Pets, or Profit With Confidence and Care

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) stands as one of the most iconic and fascinating avian species in the world. As the second-largest bird after the ostrich, the emu commands attention with its towering height-reaching up to 1.9 meters (6.2 feet)-and its impressive, powerful build. Native to Australia, this flightless bird roams vast landscapes ranging from arid deserts and open grasslands to wooded savannahs and coastal scrublands.
Emus are distinctly adapted to the harsh and often unpredictable environment of the Australian continent. Their long, muscular legs allow them to travel great distances with ease, sometimes covering up to 50 kilometers in a single day in search of food or water. They can run at speeds of over 50 kilometers per hour (31 mph), which serves both as a defensive mechanism and a means of migration.
Unlike birds that soar above the treetops, the emu thrives on the ground, embodying survival through endurance, resourcefulness, and anatomical specialization. It has developed a unique physiology that enables it to survive extreme heat, minimal water access, and fluctuating food availability. Covered in loose, double-shafted plumage that insulates against both heat and cold, the emu's feathers are dull brown with variable shades and textures that offer camouflage in their natural environment.