The Giraffe: A Longitudinal Conundrum

Giraffes are the tallest of mammals, reaching as much as 18 feet in height, with a shoulder height of up to 12 feet. They can easily peer into a second story window even though there are few high-rises along the grasslands and savannas they call home. They are well known for their long necks, long legs and spotted patterns. It was originally thought that they were a cross between a camel and a leopard, a mistake immortalized in their scientific classification as giraffa camelopardis.

These odd creatures were revered in ancient African cultures and their images were commonly depicted on prehistoric rock and cave paintings. Early written records describe them as "magnificent in appearance, bizarre in form, unique in gait, colossal in height and inoffensive in character." Unknown outside of Africa, giraffes so excited man’s curiosity that they were sometimes sent as diplomatic gifts to other countries, one record indicating such a transport from Melinda (Malindi) in Kenya to China in 1415.

Giraffes are mostly found in central, eastern and southern Africa. They roam freely, their long necks indispensable for eating leaves from the very tall acacia trees. They are selective feeders and usually consume about 65 pounds of foliage per day. They also eat flowers, vines, herbs and sometimes weaverbird nests with young inside. They may chew on bones as well, perhaps to gain more minerals. Thorns are not a deterrent to feeding as their long, prehensile tongues, gluey saliva and special upper palate enable them to process thorny foods. Approximately 16-20 hours of every day are spent feeding.

Giraffes use a home range but are non-territorial, social animals. They travel in large disorganized herds of up to forty creatures, which may consist of any combination of sexes or ages. They are relatively quiet animals but will bellow, grunt, or bray when in distress. The males are hierarchical and sometimes spar by standing side by side and lowering and swinging their heads at one another. This practice, known as necking, has sometimes been mistaken for mating, but it is only performed among males and is a test of strength.

Tallness and excellent eyesight serve giraffes well in the wild. They permit the spotting of predators from a great distance and it is rare for these animals as adults to fall prey to lions. Their buff-colored hide, with spots of darker brown, provides excellent camouflage, helping them to blend in with tree branches. Each giraffe has its own unique markings and their color grows darker with age. (Is that the equivalent us humans going gray?) In the unspoken language of the jungle, other animals run when they see a startled giraffe because they know it can spot danger well before they can. Long legs enable them to run long distances at speeds up to 35 miles per hour and if threatened, they will kick vigorously with their powerful legs.

The cows leave their young in creches while going to feed where they remain for four or five months until they are quick enough to escape predators. The 6-foot tall calves grow as much as one half inch per day and by six months, they are totally independent of their mothers. Still, survivorship of calves in their first year of life is as low as 25 per cent, many being taken by lions, leopards, hyenas and sadly, people. Close to water, the inexperienced young often fall prey to crocodiles.

Their necks are so long that giraffes must spread their front legs apart so their heads can reach the ground in order to drink. This position is a highly vulnerable one, but due to the manner in which giraffes scan the landscape before drinking, it can be assumed that they are always acutely aware of danger. Their necks have unusually elastic blood vessels with a series of valves that help offset the sudden buildup of blood (and to prevent fainting) when their heads are raised, lowered or swung quickly. They occasionally lie down but always keep their heads in the air.

High shoulders and a sloping back give the impression that their front legs are much longer than their hind legs. They are, in fact, only slightly longer. These animals have a distinctive walking gait, moving both legs on one side forward at the same time. At a gallop the hind legs are simultaneously ahead of and outside the front legs. The heavy head moves forward and then back to stay balanced.

The movement and position of the long neck are used to express giraffe emotion. When angry, the neck is lowered until it is almost horizontal. In a submissive state, the neck is stretched and the nose is raised in the air. Horns, possessed by both males and females, are actually knobs above the eyes, which are covered with skin and hair to protect their heads from blows.

Giraffe tails were highly prized by the ancient Egyptians as a symbol of good luck. (Not for the poor giraffes whose tails were taken, however). They are made into bracelets, fly whisks and string for sewing beads. Although it is not uncommon for the poor creatures to be killed for their tail alone, today they are hunted mostly for their meat and beautiful coat. Unfortunately, there are not enough laws to protect them from poachers. The gentle creatures are easily killed.

So the next time you find yourself at the zoo or Wildlife Park, stop by and visit some of the world’s oddest creatures. Watch them closely. Perhaps there’s some secret that they know and we don’t about life at higher altitudes. Life on stilts has its problems, and I probably couldn’t learn much as I am prone to nosebleeds. Still a bird’s eye view must be interesting or at least different; that is, unless you are really a bird in disguise who can read.