Caring For Rheas

Caring For Rheas

This article is about caring for Rheas. Rheas, or South American Ostriches as they are sometimes known, are the largest species of flightless bird in the world. In the wild, they can be found in the southern parts of South America and are native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia. They are related to Emus and Ostriches.

Rheas were hunted extensively in their native lands for food and their skins, but today hunting is illegal there and they are protected by law. However, they are still hunted illegally by poachers. Fortunately, they have been bred successfully in captivity and there is a good population of domesticated rheas.

There are two species of rhea, Greater Rhea and Lesser Rhea. The Greater Rhea is larger than the Lesser Rhea and can grow to over 4 feet tall and weigh up to 130 pounds. They have very long legs that make them taller than an average man when fully grown. Their feathers are brown with cream stripes on their chests and bellies.

They live on grasslands in their natural habitat but will also eat insects and small animals such as rodents if they can find them. They generally live near water sources such as rivers or lakes that provide

In this care sheet you will find some information about how to keep rheas alive.

Rheas are large ratites, a group of flightless birds which also includes ostriches, emus and cassowaries. They live in South America, mainly in the Pampas grassland. There is one species of rhea, divided into two subspecies: the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) and the Lesser Rhea (Rhea pennata).