Everyone recognizes giraffes for their long necks. However, these African giants are more complex than they look. For instance, they sleep for only a few minutes daily. Furthermore, they have a heart that is truly massive. Consequently, their biology is full of strange surprises. Therefore, stretch your neck and learn about them. You will love these tall tales.
Giraffes
Giraffes have incredibly long tongues. Specifically, their tongues are twenty inches long and dark purple. This color protects them from sunburn while eating.
They sleep less than any other mammal. In fact, they only need about thirty minutes of sleep daily. Usually, they nap standing up.
Surprisingly, giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans. Although their necks are huge, they contain only seven vertebrae.
Their spots are totally unique. Just like human fingerprints, no two patterns are exactly the same. Therefore, researchers use them for identification.
A baby giraffe enters the world with a bang. Specifically, the mother gives birth while standing up. Thus, the calf falls six feet.
They only drink water every few days. Because they get moisture from plants, they rarely need to drink. This helps them survive droughts.
Male giraffes fight by swinging their necks. This behavior is called “necking.” Consequently, the winner establishes dominance over the other male.
Their heart is a powerful pump. It weighs roughly twenty-five pounds and beats incredibly fast. It must pump blood up that long neck.
They can run surprisingly fast. On short sprints, they reach speeds of thirty-five miles per hour. Therefore, they can outrun many predators.
Ancient Romans called them “camel-leopards.” Because of their shape and spots, they looked like a mix of animals. This influenced their scientific name.
Giraffes engage in “osteophagia.” This means they chew on bones to get calcium. It keeps their own skeleton strong.
Their kick is deadly. In fact, a single kick can kill a lion. Therefore, predators usually avoid adult giraffes.
They have hair-covered horns called ossicones. Unlike antlers, these are part of the skull. Males use them for fighting.
They hum to each other at night. Although people thought they were silent, they make low-frequency sounds. Humans can barely hear them.
Finally, baby giraffes stand up quickly. Within thirty minutes of birth, they can walk. They must run to avoid lions.
