Quck answer
Despite having only seven vertebrae in their necks, giraffes are still able to rotate and bend their necks with ease. This is due to the elongated shape of their vertebrae, which allows for greater flexibility. Additionally, giraffes have incredibly strong muscles in their necks which enable them to support their long necks and move them in a variety of directions. Finally, giraffes have a unique system of blood vessels and valves in their necks which prevent blood rushing to their heads when they bend down to drink water, an adaptation which would otherwise cause them to pass out.
Wild Animals
Thanks to their towering necks, giraffes can grow as tall as 19 feet (6 meters).
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Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth, with adult male giraffes reaching up to 19 feet (6 meters) with their long necks and skinny, stilt-like legs [source: National Geographic]. Their necks make up about half of their height, and their tongues can stretch up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) to reach high leaves [source: San Diego Zoo].
Scientists are still unsure about the exact evolutionary path that led to giraffes’ unique adaptation. Despite having only seven vertebrae in their necks, the same number as humans and other mammals, they are able to move their necks with great flexibility. One theory is that their long necks are necessary for reaching the tops of 20-foot (6-meter) acacia trees, which are their preferred food source [source: Dagg and Foster]. However, giraffes also spend time eating grasses and low-lying shrubs, so this theory isn’t definitive.
Another theory is that giraffes evolved their long necks to impress female giraffes during neck-to-neck battles with other males. The bulls use their necks to strike each other with great force, similar to rams locking horns [source: San Diego Zoo].
Despite their impressive necks, they are not lightweight. The seven vertebrae in a giraffe’s neck can be as long as 10 inches (25 centimeters) each, and when combined with the weight of their head, can weigh up to 600 pounds (272 kilograms) [source: San Diego Zoo]. So how do they support their upper halves and move around? Find out on the next page.
FAQ
1. How long is a giraffe’s neck?
A giraffe’s neck can be up to six feet long, but it only has seven vertebrae, the same number as most mammals.
2. How does a giraffe’s neck help them survive?
A giraffe’s long neck helps them reach leaves and branches high up in trees that other animals can’t reach. This ability to feed on tall trees also means giraffes don’t have to compete with other herbivores for food.
3. How is a giraffe’s neck able to support its weight?
Giraffes have thick, strong neck muscles that help support their heavy heads. These muscles also help them maintain balance and stability while moving.
4. How flexible is a giraffe’s neck?
Although a giraffe’s neck only has seven vertebrae, each one is elongated and can move independently, allowing the giraffe to bend and twist its neck in many directions.
5. Is a giraffe’s neck always elongated?
No, a giraffe’s neck is not always elongated. When resting or drinking water, giraffes will lower their necks to ground level.
6. Do male giraffes have longer necks than females?
No, both male and female giraffes can have long necks, although males are often taller overall.
7. How do giraffes mate with such long necks?
During mating, male giraffes will bend their necks down to reach the female’s reproductive organs.
8. How do giraffes avoid getting blood flow to their heads when they bend down?
Giraffes have valves in their neck arteries that prevent blood from rushing to their heads when they bend down to drink or eat from the ground.
9. Can a giraffe’s neck get stuck in a tree?
No, a giraffe’s neck is too flexible to get stuck in a tree. If a giraffe does accidentally get its head caught in a branch, it can use its powerful neck muscles to free itself.
10. Has there ever been a giraffe with more than seven vertebrae?
No, giraffes have always had seven vertebrae in their necks, but some individual giraffes may have longer or shorter necks than others.
11. Are giraffes the only animals with long necks?
No, there are other animals with long necks, such as ostriches, swans, and camels. However, giraffes have the longest necks of any land mammal.
12. How do baby giraffes nurse with such long necks?
Baby giraffes will kneel down to nurse from their mother’s teats, allowing them to reach the milk without having to stretch their necks too far.
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