#15: Ostriches Do Not Bury Their Heads in the Sand — Species Scientifically Described: 1758
The image of an ostrich hiding from danger by burying its head in the sand has appeared in cartoons, books, and popular culture for generations. However, real ostriches respond to threats very differently. Their first instinct is usually to flee, and they are capable of running at remarkable speeds that make escape a far more effective strategy than hiding. When caring for eggs, ostriches lower their heads close to the ground while turning or inspecting the nest, creating the illusion from a distance that their heads have disappeared beneath the sand. They may also flatten themselves against the ground to become less noticeable when danger approaches. These perfectly ordinary behaviors likely inspired one of the animal kingdom’s most enduring misconceptions.
