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Lion vs Ostrich

Lion vs ostrich
Lion is larger on weight
Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight.

A lion and an ostrich can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
Lion Ostrich
Weight 120–250 kg 63–156 kg
Height 0.9–1.2 m 1.7–2.8 m
Top speed 60–80 km/h 60–70 km/h
Typical lifespan 10–20 yr 30–50 yr

What the numbers say

  • Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight.
  • Ostrich is 2.2× lion on height.
  • Lion is somewhat greater than ostrich on top speed — about 1.1×.
  • Ostrich is 2.9× lion on typical lifespan.

Weight compared.

Lion 120–250 kg
Ostrich 63–156 kg

Lion

The second-largest living cat and the only one that lives in permanent social groups.

Ostrich

The largest and fastest bird, laying eggs that weigh about 1.4 kg each.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, lion or ostrich?
Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do lions and ostriches compare on height?
Lion: 0.9–1.2 m. Ostrich: 1.7–2.8 m. Ostrich is 2.2× lion on height.
How do lions and ostriches compare on top speed?
Lion: 60–80 km/h. Ostrich: 60–70 km/h. Lion is somewhat greater than ostrich on top speed — about 1.1×.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
  2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked