A driving hazard in outback Australia
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325255)
Rockingham, Australia
August 15, 2018 8:44am CST
While we were in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, this emu crossed the road in front of us. We also saw a lot of dead ones on the road verges.
Emus are beautifully adapted for the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. The heat doesn’t affect them; however they do need to drink every day. It might seem strange but emus are strong swimmers and can swim for long periods if need be.
Their shaggy feathers are unique with two coming off each shaft or quill. Females are generally larger and after laying a clutch of eggs, they go off and find a new mate leaving the male to hatch the eggs and raise the chicks. The females make a booming sound through an inflatable neck sac. Emus will eat just about anything including car keys and bits of cameras if you leave them lying around. And, if feed is lush the eggs will be a bright green.
We had a pet emu which laid up to 23 eggs in a season. We would blow the eggs and make a sponge in a baking dish. One emu egg equals about a dozen hen eggs.
14 people like this
14 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
15 Aug 18
I was wanting to ask if the eggs were tasting good ? In a paleontological excavation in my area where they were looking for dinosaurs they found several fossils of giant chickens, about 1m high, apparently the size of your emus. I regret we have not them anymore. I suppose an emu cross a road for the same reason than a hen : to go on the other side
. Ok, I leave.
. Ok, I leave.2 people like this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Aug 18
Yes, off you go! 
The eggs taste quite strong. We tried them scrambled but preferred them in a sponge, especially with lots of whipped cream. Did you hear about the two people one each side of a river? One shouted across the river 'How do I get to the other side'. The other one, who was blonde, called back 'You ARE on the other side'. I leave too now! 
The eggs taste quite strong. We tried them scrambled but preferred them in a sponge, especially with lots of whipped cream. Did you hear about the two people one each side of a river? One shouted across the river 'How do I get to the other side'. The other one, who was blonde, called back 'You ARE on the other side'. I leave too now! 2 people like this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
15 Aug 18
Is selling emu oil still popular in Australia?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Aug 18
They are indeed and they can stretch well over 6 feet.
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
16 Aug 18
can their eggs be cooked and eaten? i mean, can these be scrambled too?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug 18
@ridingbet They should have had emu eggs to cook for the army.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
17 Aug 18
@JudyEv one equals 12. wow, i bet you should have a big family to consume a big egg of an emu
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Aug 18
Do you mean the danger of running into one? There were so many it would be hard to miss one really. Everyone travels a bit slower in that area.
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Aug 18
They are quite pretty really although they can look a bit fierce.
