The Ostrich exceeds its reputation in all respects. Although many consider it to be rather silly, most stories about the world's largest bird are tall tales.
For starters, the Ostrich is a real survivor. Its ancestors date back to the Tertiary period. The proverbial Ostrich policy is to protect its brood, which is done by stretching its long neck out on the ground as camouflage. The Ostrich is also quick on its feet as it is one of the fastest animals in the world. With strides of up to seven meters, it reaches a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour. It also has incedible endurance. Even when running constantly for ten hours, the Ostrich maintains an average speed of 35 kilometers.
In earlier centuries, the Ostrich was revered as a symbol of the gods. In ancient Egypt, the goddess of creation, Maat, and her system of the world were represented by an Ostrich feather. And because the Ostrich's large ornamental feathers are all the same length, they became a symbol of justice.
For these reasons, the Ostrich was traditionally domesticated at a very early stage. In addition to the symbolic value of its feathers, the real value of Ostrich leather was soon to be recognized. Exquisite in appearance and highly durable in performance, Ostrich has been a fashion favorite in Europe for more than 60 years. Moreover, archaeological finds show that Ostrich leather was used for weapons and shields in Libya since 450 B.C.