Rising temperatures signal bathtime for Healesville Sanctuary’s three emus with the pond in their habitat serving as a bath for the giant birds.
Healesville Sanctuary keeper James Goodridge said it’s quite a sight to see the large and flightless birds splashing in the water.
“The emus are inquisitive, and they’ll often wander around to see what is happening when we are filling up the pond, which we keep fresh water in to provide access to different environments,” Mr Goodridge said.
“On the hotter days they will sit in the water or have a play in it. Often, they will submerge themselves and bob around for a couple of minutes before shaking off.
“Just like us on a hot day, it is a nice and easy way to cool down by going in the water.”
In the wild, emus search for waterways.
The birds are great swimmers, using their long, strong legs.
Emu feathers have also adapted for an arid environment.
The double quilled feathers help regulate body temperature, while the black and brown colour assists to absorb and reflect heat.
However, emus have no sweat glands; they can cool off by panting.
Healesville Sanctuary visitors can also keep cool within two designated water play spaces in Coranderrk Creek, and water misters are scattered across the bushland park.
The two adult emus can be found along the main track near the front entrance, and a juvenile emu can be found living alongside pademelons in a multi-species habitat on the Woodlands Track.
Emus are classified as least concern with a stable population according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.
