When Cassowaries Attack

As you watch these videos, you can almost imagine what a dromaeosaur might do something similar in self defense or against each other in battles for mates or territory. You sometimes hear about cassowaries disemboweling other animals, such as dogs.

But because dromaeosaurs had a much sharper claw than cassowaries, it is easy to imagine dromaeosaurs disembowelling smaller prey more easily than a cassowary might. By comparison, the cassowary claw is surprisingly dull and straight, almost hoof-like in nature.

Another video depicting cassowary attacks ...

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There are so many beautiful and deadly creatures like the cassowary, dart frogs, centipedes, etc. I always assumed they survived despite the anti-camoflage because they were so deadly. Did the coloration therefore become part of sexual selection, and that is what made it so prominent? Or is it the case that being able to survive with such an impediment was an indicator of superior health?

I think the actions of the man in the second video would qualify him for a "Darwin Award", if he had slipped a little earlier.

By Mustafa Mond, FCD (not verified) on 09 Jan 2007 #permalink

But to lose it to a Cassowary? That'd be so....embarrassing...

Indeed. Kicked to death by a bird. What a demeaning epitaph.

And the dope certainly deserved it...
I personally cannot stand human beings who do this kind of crap for their own ego gratification. The bird is gorgeous and this ugly human goes in and pisses it off.
I observe wildlife from a distance and leave them be. It never ceases to anger me that we humans can't just WATCH. Why do we always have to interject our own idiocy in other creature's lives?
Who's to say that dope in the second video hasn't set up some innocent caretaker for an attack?

By G in INdiana (not verified) on 11 Jan 2007 #permalink