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Okavanga — Feeding Giraffes 2

#game #giraffe #kzn #safari #southafrica #wildanimals #wildlifephotography
Published: 2016-08-18 12:13:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 288; Favourites: 21; Downloads: 0
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Description A Journey of GiraffesThere is probably no other animal in Africa so instantly recognisable as a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) , with its tall, elegant shape, long neck and legs, and unmistakable skin pattern of reddish-brown patches. For the record, an adult male giraffe can be as tall as 18-19 feet (ca.6 meters) with females and couple of feet shorter. Perhaps surprisingly given the elegance of their movement, adult male giraffes weigh in at over 1 tonne (ca 1100 kg) and females at about 0.8 tonnes(over 800 kg). Another odd fact about the neck of a giraffe (up to 8 feet long in adults) is that it has the same number of cervical vertebrae (seven) as we have. However, evolution has lengthened and strengthened them to support and manoeuvre such a long and heavy structure. 

Why do giraffes have long necks? From the evolutionary perspective there are probably at least three reasons. First, the taller you are the further your view, an advantage
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Comments: 2

LindArtz [2016-08-18 21:50:08 +0000 UTC]

You realize, looking at this shot, how the shade even (from the tree in this instance) coupled with their unique pattern, helps give them even more camouflage.  The front of the baby sort of blends somehow with the trees branches.    !!

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Okavanga In reply to LindArtz [2016-08-19 10:53:59 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely, Linda - very well camouflaged. If you are looking for giraffe, you normally have to look above the tree line and try to spot the heads first.

Cheers

David

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