ANIMALS / EVIDENCE FILE 01
Ostriches bury their heads in the sand
Myth busted
Ostriches do not bury their heads in sand to hide from danger. An ostrich may lie low with its head and neck along the ground.
The bit that matters
- This correction concerns hiding from danger, rather than every interaction with soil.
- A flattened neck can make the head difficult to see from a distance.
Follow the evidence
Research and a separate source check inform this explanation. Keep the qualifications with the fact.
- Ostrich (opens in a new tab)
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance · Retrieved 2026-10-16
The zoo rejects hiding the head in sand and describes an ostrich lying still with its head and neck flat on the ground when unable to run.
One discovery leads to another.
Claim version 1 · Evidence reviewed 16 October 2026 · No historical origin is asserted without evidence.