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| giraffe [2022/10/27 16:32] – zookeeper | giraffe [2022/10/27 18:30] (current) – zookeeper |
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| [{{ :giraffetexture.png?nolink&400|//All giraffe patterns work as fine camouflage, and being herd animals, it helps to recognise various members of the herd//.}}] | [{{ :giraffetexture.png?nolink&400|//All giraffe patterns work as fine camouflage, and being herd animals, it helps to recognise various members of the herd//.}}] |
| The most striking feature of the giraffe's anatomy is the long neck of the giraffe. Like all other mammals, the giraffe's neck bones are seven in number. The legs of the giraffe too are relatively long, the legs alone standing taller than most humans. The legs, however, are very thin, and so to support the bulk and weight of the giraffe's body, there is a groove in the lower leg bones, which supports a vital ligament. All giraffes sport a form of patterning on their hide, with different populations having somewhat different shapes. The Giraffe's tongue is dark blue, to prevent sunburn of the tongue, and the tongue and lips are thick, as so to eat the thorns of the leaves without much trouble. On the top of the head are two cartiligous ossicones, used in combat. Similarly to humans, and other primates, a giraffe's teeth are 32 in number, though unlike the teeth of other herbivores, these teeth are less wide, making for a less wide skull. In the giraffe's skull, most teeth are to be found at the back of the mouth. | The most striking feature of the giraffe's anatomy is the long neck of the giraffe. Like all other mammals, the giraffe's neck bones are seven in number. The legs of the giraffe too are relatively long, the legs alone standing taller than most humans. The legs, however, are very thin, and so to support the bulk and weight of the giraffe's body, there is a groove in the lower leg bones, which supports a vital ligament. All giraffes sport a form of patterning on their hide, with different populations having somewhat different shapes. The Giraffe's tongue is dark blue, to prevent sunburn of the tongue, and the tongue and lips are thick, as so to eat the thorns of the leaves without much trouble. On the top of the head are two cartiligous ossicones, used in combat. Similarly to humans, and other primates, a giraffe's teeth are 32 in number, though unlike the teeth of other herbivores, these teeth are less wide, making for a less wide skull. In the giraffe's skull, most teeth are to be found at the back of the mouth. |
| [{{ :giraffelips.png?nolink&200|//A giraffe's strong and thick lips make for easy work at thorny branches that may deter other animals//.}}] | [{{ :waegiraffelips.png?nolink&200|//A giraffe's strong and thick lips make for easy work at thorny branches that may deter other animals//.}}] |
| ===== III. GIRAFFE BIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY ===== | ===== III. GIRAFFE BIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY ===== |
| The giraffe is typically placid, but is known to be aggressive towards predators. On the savannah, the lion may sometimes attempt, occasionally successfully, to take on a giraffe, but mostly the calves are at risk. The leg of the giraffe is powerful, and a single kick can kill many predators. Like elephants, the giraffe has shown emotional capability, in that giraffe cows can start affections that may last for years, as well as grieving if a calf falls to a lion. For years, it appears that the sociology of the giraffe was rather underlooked, but a number of giraffe researchers are now trying to change this. The male bulls, in competition for a female, will have a vertical posture, with musculature visible, hardened ossicones, and the forehead too thickens. In the absence of a larger bull, the male giraffe will act as the leading male in the area, but in the presence of a larger bull, the giraffe will avoid competition. To avoid tripping over, the giraffe walks in a different method to most other quadrupedal mammals, in that the left legs move in conjunction with the right legs. Giraffe bulls practice 'necking', where the necks of two bulls collide with each other, and the winner is the one with his 'head held high' at the end. After successful mating, the giraffe's gestation of 15 months will result in a small giraffe calf, but still relatively tall. These calves will perhaps be born at a 'calving ground', typically the same place used numerous times, as a sort of 'tradition' amongst generations. The bull plays no part in raising offspring. Calved mothers tend to socialise, whilst a single cow will watch a number of calves in a 'nursery'. The calves are usually playful with each other, and the adult cow watches the calves to keep them safe. | The giraffe is typically placid, but is known to be aggressive towards predators. On the savannah, the lion may sometimes attempt, occasionally successfully, to take on a giraffe, but mostly the calves are at risk. The leg of the giraffe is powerful, and a single kick can kill many predators. Like elephants, the giraffe has shown emotional capability, in that giraffe cows can start affections that may last for years, as well as grieving if a calf falls to a lion. For years, it appears that the sociology of the giraffe was rather underlooked, but a number of giraffe researchers are now trying to change this. The male bulls, in competition for a female, will have a vertical posture, with musculature visible, hardened ossicones, and the forehead too thickens. In the absence of a larger bull, the male giraffe will act as the leading male in the area, but in the presence of a larger bull, the giraffe will avoid competition. To avoid tripping over, the giraffe walks in a different method to most other quadrupedal mammals, in that the left legs move in conjunction with the right legs. Giraffe bulls practice 'necking', where the necks of two bulls collide with each other, and the winner is the one with his 'head held high' at the end. After successful mating, the giraffe's gestation of 15 months will result in a small giraffe calf, but still relatively tall. These calves will perhaps be born at a 'calving ground', typically the same place used numerous times, as a sort of 'tradition' amongst generations. The bull plays no part in raising offspring. Calved mothers tend to socialise, whilst a single cow will watch a number of calves in a 'nursery'. The calves are usually playful with each other, and the adult cow watches the calves to keep them safe. |
