Rhea Factfile

Scientific Name : Rhea americana

World Distribution

They are found in parts of Bolivia, Peru, Brazil and Argentina, which are all countries in South America.

Habitat

They live mainly in open grassland and brushland (places with low bushes dotted around) wher the gave a good view of enemies approaching and can use their fast gallop to get away. Rheas wouldn't survive long living in a dense forest.

Feeding

Rheas mainly eat roots, seeds and grasses, but they will also eat ensects, lizards, and othher small creatures when they come across them. Their wide, flat beaks are well-suited to grazing because they are able to grab a fair-sized mouthful at a time.

Predators

Large predators such as pumas or wolves prey on adult rheas. Their best chance of catching one is to creep up on it unawares, before it has a chance to gallop away.
An escaping rhea will sometimes try to trick the predator by suddenly changing direction and lying flat on the ground with its head outstretched in the long grass. The predator is confused and thinks the rhea has vanished into thin air!

Breeding

The way rheas raise their young is absolutely fascinating. First, a male will establish his territory by fighting off other males. Then, by flapping his wings and making deep booming sounds he attracts a group of females and scrapes a shallow hole in the ground to make a sort of nest. One by one the females each lay a number of eggs in the nest, until there is a pile of about 30. The proud father then chases off the females and takes charge of the eggs, sitting on them for five or six weeks until they hatch. For the next six months he takes sole care of the chicks, protecting them even from their own mothers!

Young rheas are not ready to breed until they are two or three years old.

Other interesting facts

• Rheas hold their wings up to balance as they gallop, especially when making quick turns.

• Their loose shaggy brown feathers have double shafts like those of the emu. They keep the rhea warm and help to camouflage it.

• Although the ostriches of Africa, the emus of Australia and the rheas of South America look very similar they are not closely related. They have simply developed in similar ways because they live in the same sorts of environments, albeit in different continents.

• The number of rheas in the wild is going down because they are hunted for their meat and feathers. They are also killed as pests by farmers whose crops they are accused of stealing.

• Rheas in captivity can live up to 40 years. In the wild 20 is a more usual lifespan.

• Outside the breeding season, rheas live in groups of about 20-30. They often follow herds of cattle around.

• A cornered rhea can give a powerful kick with its big three-toed feet.
  
  

  Facts and Figures
  Name	rhea
  Type of animal	bird
  Where found	South America
  Habitat	grasslands
  Diet	omnivorous
  Average length	120 cm
  Average weight	22 kg
  Average number of young per year	15
  Egg incubation	40 days
  Maximum lifespan	35 years
  Note for Teachers

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