This is what will be on lots of people's dinner tables tomorrow. Granted, it will probably be naked and cooked, however. This is the scientific name for the North American Wild Turkey.
- The Turkey originated in North and Central America, and there is evidence that indicates that they've been here for more than 10 million years.
- There are about 4.2 million wild turkeys currently roaming North America, occupying every state except Alaska.
- When getting out of the way of danger, the wild turkey has remarkably impressive flight, achieving speeds of up to 80 MPH. They can fly about a mile in a single flight at an average of between 32 and 55 MPH. Wild turkeys are also good sprinters, reaching speeds of up to 25 MPH. Any one of these sights would probably be hilarious to watch.
- The average adult weight of the wild turkey runs about 17 pounds for the male, and 11 pounds for the female.
- The wild turkey primarily feeds on acorns, beechnuts, dogwood fruit, wild grapes, insects, as well as the leaves and fruit from many plants.