Southern cassowary: The giant prehistoric bird with dinosaur feet
Live ScienceSaturday, June 14, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM
Meet the southern cassowary—a massive, flightless bird that looks like it stepped straight out of the dinosaur age. With legs built like tree trunks and dagger-like claws, these creatures aren’t just relics of the past; they’re living, breathing reminders of how wild nature can be. Think of them as the closest thing we’ve got to a modern-day velociraptor, minus the Hollywood hype.
Editor’s Note: Cassowaries might seem like something from a Jurassic Park sequel, but they’re very real—and they’re a fascinating example of how ancient traits survive in today’s world. Their existence helps scientists (and the rest of us) piece together the puzzle of evolution, while also highlighting the importance of protecting unique species that don’t fit neatly into our modern ecosystems. Plus, who doesn’t want to know about a bird that could’ve gone toe-to-toe with a T. rex?
— Curated via WP Now’s
