Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) Foil Card

Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) Cassowaries are around 1.5-2 meters tall and both sexes are very similar in appearance. They are very distinctively colored and are not quite as tall as their “cousins” the Emu. The female is larger and more protective than the male. In Australia it lives in the rainforest in north-east Queensland. Cassowary habitat is disappearing with the encroachment of humans. Cassowaries eat fruit which distributes seeds that assist in revegetating the rainforest. Without Cassowaries, our rainforests may not be able to survive. Like some Dinosaurs they have a “casque,” on their heads, which is made of keratin, like fingernails or horns. Cassowaries are reputed to be dangerous as they can be highly aggressive to anyone who approaches them in the wild. They have one killed one person according to records. This image was designed by Natural History Illustration students from the University of Newcastle. We hope this encourages your love of nature. Please help save our planet.