Biological Data of Cassowary

Life span: 12 to 19 years in the wild, up to 40 years in zoos
Incubation period: 49 to 56 days
Number of eggs laid: 3 to 5
Age of maturity: 2½ to 3 years old
Size: Largest - southern cassowary, 4 to 5.6 feet (1.2 to 1.7 meters) tall, females usually larger than males
Size: Smallest - dwarf cassowary, 3.2 to 3.6 feet (1 to 1.1 meters) tall
Weight: Heaviest - southern cassowary, females up to 128 pounds ( 58 kilograms), males up to 75 pounds (34 kilograms)
Weight: Lightest - dwarf cassowary, up to 39 pounds (17.5 kilograms)
Size of egg: Up to 6.3 x 4.1 inches (16 x 10 centimeters)
Egg weight: About 20 ounces (580 grams).

Fun Facts

  • The name cassowary seems to be of Papuan origin. “Kasu” means horned, and “weri” means head, referring to the bird’s casqued or helmeted head.
  • The booming sound a cassowary makes is the lowest known call of any bird and is right at the edge of human hearing.
  • Some people in New Guinea believe that cassowaries are reincarnations of female ancestors, while others believe that the cassowary was the first mother.
  • The first cassowary arrived in Europe in 1597 for the collection of Emperor Rudolf II.

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