A team of archaeologists has unearthed a 41,000-year-old ostrich nest in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
It is the world’s oldest known ostrich nest. The nest has a width of 9-10 feet, and was once home to 911 eggs, although it was capable of holding 30-40 eggs at a time.
This groundbreaking discovery not only illuminates the life and extinction of ancient ostriches but also offers valuable insights into the prehistoric environment and the factors influencing the extinction of megafaunal species in India.
Megafauna are large animals that roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene, 2.5 million to 11,700 years ago.
Ostrich
Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the flightless bird native to Africa. The ostrich was once known as the “camel bird” because of its long neck.
Like camels, the ostrich can tolerate high temperatures and go without water for long periods of time.
Found across Africa’s hot savannahs and open woodland, the ostrich is the world’s largest bird.
As it is so heavy, this flightless bird that can never take to the skies; instead, it’s built to run.
Ostriches are mainly vegetarian, eating roots, leaves, flowers and seeds. But they will also eat insects, lizards and other small creatures, too.
