Why running emus keep one foot on the ground

September 29, 2024 8:51 PM

Why running emus keep one foot on the ground. Emus might look ungainly when they pick up pace, but they’re actually very efficient runners, a new study suggests.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (8 comments total)

The biomechanics modeling is pretty cool, but I'm still trying to understand the difference between "grounded running" and fast walking.
posted by piyushnz at 10:41 PM on September 29

Sure it saves energy, but don't they just go in circles?
posted by aubilenon at 12:21 AM on September 30 [4 favorites]

I have (somewhere) a photo I took of a surprised emus out for a walk in central western Queensland. Their feet weren't touching the ground, and I believe, years ago, I posted a link to the photo in some thread on the blue, claiming evidence that emus can fly. I know it was the blue, because some wit (I don't remember who) said, no, that's just flight emu-lation.
posted by b33j at 1:01 AM on September 30 [2 favorites]

Found it, and the original pic is still at that link.
posted by b33j at 1:06 AM on September 30

Proud of their designation as one of only 19 flightless birds species, Emus don't want to risk having a photo taken with both feet off the ground.
posted by fairmettle at 3:58 AM on September 30 [3 favorites]

The first sentence I ever learned about emus was "The emu is a swift runner, but it cannot fly."
posted by grumpybear69 at 5:41 AM on September 30

chariot pulled by cassowaries

And how do they run?
posted by Jon Mitchell at 9:29 AM on September 30

so they’re speedwalking?
posted by lokta at 4:20 AM on October 2