The Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is a large Australasian bird. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game.
Description[]
The Southern Cassowary is one of the largest birds in the world and a member of the Ratite family alongside the larger Ostrich and comparably-sized Emu. Easily identified by its black plumage, blue head and red wattles, large individuals can weigh up to 58.5kg (129lbs), with females being larger than males. The Southern Cassowary also possesses a distinctive large horny ridge, or "casque" on top of its head. The casque's purpose is unclear, but may represent a way of resonating the cassowary's calls.
Native to northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, the southern cassowary mainly inhabits tropical rainforests and feeds primarily on fallen fruit. Individuals comes together only to mate and the male will incubate the eggs and care for the chicks on his own. Although naturally shy birds, the southern cassowary is notably one of the only birds known to cause human fatalities; a threatened cassowary will jump and kick out with a large 12cm long dagger-like claw on the inner toe of each foot. The southern cassowary is not considered to be threatened in the wild, although numbers are believed to be declining.
Trivia[]
- The Southern cassowary is the only Level 2 animal in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game to not be classed as threatened by the IUCN. This is because its EPBC status is used instead.