Cassowary Skull

BC-338 $216.00

The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is found in New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia. Native to lowland rainforests, this bird feasts on fruit as well as insects, fungi, and small vertebrates. Cassowaries are members of a diverse group of large, flightless birds known as ratites. Ratites, unlike other flightless birds, have no keel on their sternum. Without a keel, these birds would not be able to fly even with well developed wings. However, they do have long, powerful legs for running and defense with strong three toed feet armed with claws up to 4 inches (12cm) long. The southern cassowary is the largest of the three species of cassowary and the only one to have red skin flaps hanging from their neck. The large helmet-like crest (casque) on their heads is composed of modified cranial bones made of trabecular bone and cartilage, and it varies in size and shape. There is debate as to what the function of the casques may be, but it has been suggested that it is used in communication as an amplifier of the low-frequency vocalizations they make. This gorgeous cast of an adult male cassowary would be an excellent addition to any biology, ecology or comparative avian anatomy course. 2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw).