That doesn't sound right does it? The average human's height is just over 5'6", while the average giraffe is close to 20 feet tall. The average human's neck is only 4-5 inches in length while the average giraffe's neck is close to 6 feet long. Yet, we have the same number of vertebrae?
How is that possible?
Well each giraffe contains seven vertebra in it's neck. The exact same number as humans as well as most mammals. However, each vertebra in a giraffe's neck is very large, measuring 10 inches long. Dwarfing the much smaller vertebrae found in adult human's necks. The added size also means added weight, and a giraffe's neck can weigh close to 600 lbs., yikes!
Also amazing is that these vertebrae are joined together with ball and socket joints. Very similar to the type we have in our shoulders. Making it possible for a giraffe to move his neck basically in a 360 degree radius. Very useful for getting food from all sides, or just for swinging his head around in a circle to impress the ladies! ;)
That is hardly the only interesting fact about the giraffe...
1. Giraffes walk differently than most other mammals. They put their right front foot and right back foot forward at the same time and then they put their left front foot and left back foot forward next at the same time. As opposed to alternating like most other 4-legged mammals.
2. Giraffes may look funny running, but they can run up to 35 mph.
3. Giraffes do not drink much water because they get most of their hydration from the plants they eat.
4. Giraffes need to eat roughly 75 lbs. of vegetation per day to sustain their body weight.
5. Giraffes only sleep for 2 hours or less per day, and they sleep standing up.
6. Baby giraffes can learn to stand up on their own within minutes of being born, and are running within a couple hours of birth. I wish my daughter had learned that quickly! ;)
7. No two giraffes have the same spot pattern on their skin. Much the same way that no two human finger prints are exactly alike.
8. Giraffes have a very intricate circulatory system with special valves that open and close to keep the blood from rushing to the giraffe's head when it bends down to get a drink.
9. Giraffes have very tight skin on their legs to keep the blood from pooling in their legs when they stand all day. Very similar to the spandex leggings you see basketball players wearing "to keep their legs warm".
And finally...
10. Male giraffes are known to test the fertility of a potential mate by tasting it's urine... That is something for you to think about as you are going about the rest of your day. :)
This is the kind of knowledge you obtain by sitting in the pediatricians office waiting for the doctor to come and give your daughter her 15 month check up...
Live well my friends!
Sources:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/56318/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-giraffes
Pediatrician's Poster
Image Sources:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/56318/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-giraffes
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/giraffe-neck1.htm
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