~Explore Biology~

Kingdom:   Animalia
Phylum:     Chordata
Class:        Aves
Order:       Casuariiformes
Family:      Casuariidae
Genus:       Casuarius
Scientific Name: Casuarius casuarius


PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
 The average height of a Cassowary ranges between 5 to 6 feet. It weighs around 70 kilos. The females are larger than the males, and also more colorful.The red color of the wattles changes from pale to medium to dark depending on the bird's mood. Cassowaries have sharp beaks and casques on top of their heads.Each foot on the Cassowary has 3 forward pointing toes with strong claws to provide grip while running, the inner toe having a 12cm (5") long spike for defensive purposes when it kicks out when cornered.Grey in colour and slightly directed forward this vertical bony helmet protects the birds head as it makes its swift way through the thick undergrowth of the rainforest. The Cassowary is the only bird in the world to have any type of protective armourCassowary is a good swimmer.Casowaries are ratiate.

HABITAT :
Cassowaries are found in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and surrounding islands.In tropical rainforests, the Cassowary prefers stream banks and clearings.

BEHAVIOR:
 Cassowaries are solitary birds except during courtship, egg-laying, and sometimes around ample food supplies.Male cassowaries defend a territory of about 7 square kilometres (1,700 acres) for itself and its mate, while females have overlapping territories of several males.

DIET: 

They can also eat small dead marsupials and birds.Cassowaries are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and flesh.

REPRODUCTION: 

 The female Cassowary lays 3 to 6 large (5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in) pale green Eggs on forest litter and may be served by a number of Males during the breeding season
from May until November deserting each in turn after the eggs are laid.

IMPORTANCE: 

Rainforests would be a very different place with diminished diversity if there were no cassowaries.  In the Wet Tropics the cassowary plays the role which is accomplished by entire guilds of animals elsewhere.The Cassowaries are called the Gardeners of the Rain Forest.

TYPES:

1. Casuarius Casuarius – This is better known as the Southern/Double-Wattled Cassowary. It is mainly found in Australia, New Guinea, and Ceram, and is the most well-known of the three Cassowaries.


2. Casuarius Unappendiculatus – This is better known as the One-Wattled Cassowary. It is mainly found in New Guinea.


3. Casuarius Bennetti – This is better known as the Dwarf Cassowary. It is mainly found in New Guinea and New Britain.

ENDANGERED SPECIES:
 Inhabitant of Rain Forests and Rain Forests are rapidly shrinking, the Cassowary is high on the Endangered Species list.