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The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world, attaining a height of 5.5
metres. Its incredibly long neck accounts for much of its height. Adult
males generally reach a height of about 5 meters and females about 4.5
meters. Big males can weigh a massive 1200 kilograms while females usually
weigh some 800 to 900 kilograms. There may be at least six species of
giraffe that are reproductively isolated and not interbreeding though no
natural obstacles, like mountain ranges or impassable rivers, block their
mutual access. In fact, the study found that the two giraffe populations
that live closest to each other are the reticulated giraffe and the Masai
giraffe.
Both sexes of the animals have horns although the horns of a female are
smaller. The prominent horns are formed from ossified cartilage and are
called ossicones. The appearance of horns is a reliable method of
identifying the sex of giraffes, with the females displaying tufts of hair
on the top of the horns while males' horns tend to be bald on top.
Giraffes have long necks. Contrary to popular belief, giraffes can both
lie down and lower their heads, thanks to special adaptations in their
circulatory systems which prevent their heads from filling with blood when
lowered below their hearts. They possess seven vertebrae in the neck, the
usual number mammals that are elongated. The vertebrae are separated by
highly flexible joints. The base of the neck has a spine which projects
upward and forms a hump over the shoulders. They have anchor muscles that
hold the neck upright. With the advantage of their very long necks, giraffes
are able to feed on the foliage of trees that is not accessible to other
herbivores. The long prehensile tongue is used to pull pods and leaves into
the mouth which are then stripped from the stems with the spatulate incisor
teeth.
Giraffes also have slightly elongated forelegs, about 10% longer than
their hind legs. The pace of the giraffe is an amblgait, though when
pursued, it can run extremely fast. It cannot sustain a lengthy chase. When
hunting adult giraffes, lions try to knock the lanky animal off its feet and
pull it down. Giraffes are difficult and dangerous prey though, and when
attacked the giraffe defends itself by kicking with great force. A single
well-placed kick from an adult giraffe can shatter a lion's skull or break
its spine.
The male's fight for dominance, and for the right to mate with females,
It is something fascinating to watch. They use their long muscular necks to
strike at an opponent's body and wrestle by twining their necks around each
other. The loser is pushed off balance and the encounters very rarely lead
to serious injury.
However, giraffes are generally quiet animals that go about their
business with an air of serenity. It is only when disturbed, they will snort
and, when attacked by predators, they bellow.
Many female giraffes live in small social groups while males have been
known to fight over territory and partners. The lifespan of a giraffe is
around 20 years, with captive giraffes generally living longer. |
