Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius
With its distinctive casque and glossy black plumage, the cassowary is one of the most remarkable birds of the rainforests of New Guinea and north-eastern Australia. It is mainly solitary and, by feeding on fruit, disperses the seeds of many plant species, helping new areas of forest to regenerate. Today, road construction, habitat loss and attacks by domestic dogs are making the survival of this species increasingly difficult.
IUCN RED LIST
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies living species according to criteria that take into account their level of threat of extinction: the Red List is an indispensable tool for coordinating nature conservation actions, a veritable barometer of the health of our Planet.
Lives in Australia
Fun Fact
A NATURAL HELMET
When it feels threatened, it can run through the forest at speeds of up to 50 km\h ( 31 mph).
To avoid injury, it adopts a wedge-shaped posture, keeping its head low and its neck horizontal.
Its horn-like casque acts as a natural helmet, protecting its head from impacts with branches as it moves through the forest.
Gli animali che vivono nella stessa area geografica
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