Ostriches are intriguing animals that most people typically do not see regularly. However, if you live on a farm or have plenty of acreage, you might consider keeping ostriches as pets or for eggs and meat. Even if you don’t plan to care for ostriches yourself, it is always fun to learn more about these animals.
Whether you’re a potential caretaker or just a curious person, one important thing to learn about ostriches is how high they can jump and whether they can jump over fences. Knowing these things makes it possible to create a suitable living space for them that they cannot get out of. An ostrich can likely jump about 3 or 4 feet. Here is everything that you need to know about this topic.
What We Know About Ostriches Jumping
There is no consensus as to just how high an ostrich can jump. The speed at which this animal can run, which happens to be more than 30 miles an hour, is well documented. The fact that their legs are strong enough to kill lions seems to always be up for debate. However, the height of an Ostrich’s jump has not been a big question for scientists and explorers.
There are videos showing ostriches jumping, so we can estimate the height at which they could jump. However, there is no definitive answer to rely on. It is safe to say that they cannot jump more than 6 feet high at any given time. However, if these animals feel threatened and must get out of a dangerous situation, we don’t know how high they are willing to jump or how far they are willing to run.
What we do know about the Ostrich is that their legs are quite strong. However, it is not the strength of their legs that makes them dangerous to other animals, including predators. The long, sharp claws at the ends of their toes make them powerful and dangerous. Jumping would not get them out of a bind when they are being hunted down by a predator. Kicking and clawing will, though.
Ostriches May Be Able to Jump Over Fences
Can ostriches jump over fences? It depends on how tall the fence is. An ostrich can probably jump over a 3- or 4-foot fence, but it likely cannot jump over a 6-foot fence. To be safe when trying to keep an ostrich in a pen, the fencing should be at least 6 feet in height. The type of fence does not matter as much.
In Conclusion
Now that you know how high ostriches can jump and whether they can jump over fences, you can have peace of mind in knowing that you are better prepared to care for this kind of animal if you plan to do so. The jumping ability of ostriches is just one thing that makes these creatures so interesting and unique. Their long legs and necks are probably their most notable features!
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels