THE GIRAFFE

One of Africa’s most elegant animals, it feeds on acacia leaves and branches which it gathers from the treetops. Despite its long neck, the giraffe has only seven vertebrae, exactly the same number as man and most other mammals. Although a relatively quiet animal, the giraffe is not mute. Giraffes bellow, grunt, bray in distress, moan and emit short flutelike notes. They have acute senses of hearing and sight, often alerting other animals to nearby predators.

Giraffes use a home range but are not territorial. The males territorial and sometimes spar by standing side by side and lowering and swing their heads at one another. The blows can be so strong that their necks entwine as a test of strength.