KENANSVILLE, Fla. — It has wings but can’t fly, can stand more than 5 feet tall and has powerful legs capable of carrying it across the ground at impressive speeds.
Meet the emu, one of Australia’s most recognizable animals and a species that has been featured at Wild Florida Adventure Park.
Emus are the second-largest living birds in the world by height, behind their African relative, the ostrich.
Although their wings aren’t built for flight, their legs are certainly built for movement.
Emus can run at impressive speeds and cover considerable distances. Their long, powerful legs and distinctive stride are adaptations suited to life on the ground.
Their appearance is just as unusual. Emus have shaggy-looking feathers, long necks and relatively small wings, giving them a look that’s hard to confuse with most other birds.
They also have an unusual family arrangement.
After the female lays her eggs, the male emu typically takes responsibility for incubating them and later caring for the chicks — one of the fascinating behaviors that makes this flightless bird much more than just an impressive runner.
Animals such as the emu help showcase the variety of wildlife associated with the Wild Florida Gator Park.
And visitors can continue the adventure inside Wild Florida’s Drive-thru Safari Park, where other large animals from around the world can be seen from the comfort of their own vehicle.
For a completely different experience, climb aboard a Wild Florida airboat and head into the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades, where native birds, alligators and other wildlife may be waiting around the next bend.
You don’t need wings to have a wild adventure.
Wild Florida Adventure Park is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed Sundays. Reservations can be made Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wild Florida is located at 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, FL 34739.
For reservations, current animal information or additional details, call 407-957-3135 or toll-free at 866-532-7167, or email info@wildfl.com.
Wild Florida airboat adventures can also be booked online.
Make tracks for Kenansville and discover just how many different kinds of wildlife are waiting at Wild Florida.
