These two Ostrich babies are just about the cutest ever! One minute they’re wobbly standing, the next they’re off like little tiny, feathered torpedoes. When the zoomie idea strikes, they momentarily look possessed, like they’re not sure what comes next, and then the feet just go.
This video from Snead’s Farm has gone viral, and for good reason! Seeing these two babies sprinting across the screen is perfection. They skid, they recover, they do it again. They go off-course, nearly crash, recover, and do it again. They’re absolutely adorable, as the 258,000 people who’ve watched the video can attest to!
Viewers noticed their cute lack of coordination with their little feet going wherever: “it’s like their head and feet aren’t talking to each other.” Another commenter said, “Why does it look like they’re trying to fight it?”
Someone thought their odd movements could be described as, “…they are like a living embodiment of a hiccup” and another said, “Every body part has an idea of where it wants to go, all in different directions. So adorable.”
Why Baby Ostriches Can Run Before They Can Balance
Yuliya Artiukh/Shutterstock
Baby ostrich chicks begin sprinting within days of hatching. Their amazing natural instincts get them up and moving, as running fast and strengthening their leg tendons helps their odds for survival in the open plains.
Cheetahs, leopards, and lions–all of which are capable of reaching great speeds, are natural predators of the ostrich, so running fast is a must and baby ostriches get right down to business.
A baby ostrich weighs only 2-2.6 lbs, when born, but can eventually grow up to 350 lbs. and run at speeds up to 43 mph. In addition to incredible agility, an ostrich also has two toes instead of most bird species, which have three of four. This difference allows for traction, balance, and stability. It also allows them to travel at maximum speed utilizing minimal energy.
Related: Watch Flock of Chickens Carve a Pumpkin With This Adorable Halloween Project for Birds
So, while watching these zoomies is adorable, it’s also amazing to know that these babies are also in training. One day they’ll be 350 lb. birds capable of running up to 43 mph. Those legs were built for the savanna, but for now? This playpen will have to do.
This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.