Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand
The image of an ostrich burying its head in the sand to avoid danger is one of the most enduring animal myths. However, this behavior has never been observed in ostriches and is purely a myth. If ostriches buried their heads in the sand, they would suffocate!
The misconception likely arises from the ostrich’s actual behavior of lowering its head to the ground when it senses danger. Ostriches often lie flat with their heads and necks stretched out along the ground to blend in with their surroundings, giving the illusion from a distance that their heads are buried.
Additionally, ostriches dig shallow nests in the sand to lay their eggs. They frequently lower their heads to turn the eggs, which might also contribute to the myth. Far from being cowardly, ostriches are fast and powerful animals capable of running at speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) and delivering powerful kicks to defend themselves.