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Status: Endangered species, destroyed by humans for damaging crops. Diet in wild: Wide variety of plants and insects. Life span in wild: 6 to 10 years. Weight: 20 to 25 pounds. Native habitat: South American rainforest. Black Pine Animal Park 1426 W. 300 N. P.O. Box 02 Albion, IN 46701 (260) 636-7383
©2008
Professional Animal Retirement Center, Inc. |
Rhea
Black Pine has raised rheas since the earliest days of the farm. These gangly birds can withstand cold temperatures better than their African cousins. Their diet includes plants, insects, and small vertibrates. Rheas are raised on farms primarily for their meat, which is low in fat and cholesterol. Black Pine's rheas have long been part of the family. Males are the ones who build the nests and will sit on up to 50 eggs at a time to incubate, having been laid by a number of different females over several weeks. At about 35 to 40 days, chicks will hatch. Black Pine collects eggs laid by the female so no babies will hatch. This is to control population. Eggs are then blown out and bleached, and are sometimes available for purchase. The proceeds help fund the care of all Black Pine animal residents. |
The Animals
Rheas are native to South America.
Smaller than an ostrich, rheas stand about 5 feet tall when full
grown. The rhea also does not sport the large tail feather plumes of
the African ostrich, and has three instead of two toes.