The Myth
Ostriches bury their heads in the sand!
The Fact
Since Roman times, ostriches have been said to be so dim that they react to danger by sticking their heads in the ground. They've thus become a metaphor for humans, who refuse to accept reality, preferring to ignore the truth, like children sticking their fingers in their ears and crying: "na ... na... I can't hear you!" In fact, however, ostriches react to danger in the most sensible, obvious way available to a flightless bird capable of running at 40 mph. They skedaddle.
So where does the myth come from? Well, ostriches swallow sand and pebbles to help grind up food in their stomachs. This means they have to bend down and briefly stick their heads in the earth to collect the pebbles.
Ostriches bury their heads in the sand!
The Fact
Since Roman times, ostriches have been said to be so dim that they react to danger by sticking their heads in the ground. They've thus become a metaphor for humans, who refuse to accept reality, preferring to ignore the truth, like children sticking their fingers in their ears and crying: "na ... na... I can't hear you!" In fact, however, ostriches react to danger in the most sensible, obvious way available to a flightless bird capable of running at 40 mph. They skedaddle.
So where does the myth come from? Well, ostriches swallow sand and pebbles to help grind up food in their stomachs. This means they have to bend down and briefly stick their heads in the earth to collect the pebbles.
