Giraffe
A giraffe is a tall African mammal distinguished by its exceptionally long neck and legs, spotted coat, and two or more horn-like ossicones.
Ossicone: A permanent, skin-covered bony projection on the head of giraffes and some related mammals. These distinctive projections help identify giraffes and differ from true horns.
Giraffe cardiovascular system: The heart and blood vessels that maintain circulation through a giraffe’s unusually tall body. High blood pressure helps deliver blood to the brain above the heart.
Savanna: A tropical or subtropical ecosystem with continuous grasses and scattered trees or shrubs. Many giraffe populations depend on savannas and their tree browse.
Masai giraffe: A giraffe species native to parts of East Africa, recognizable by irregular, jagged-edged coat patches. Its range and appearance illustrate variation among giraffe species.
Okapi: A forest-dwelling African mammal and the only living relative of the giraffe. It shares the giraffe family but has a short neck and a secretive forest lifestyle.
Giraffe neck: The elongated neck of a giraffe, built from seven cervical vertebrae like those of most mammals. Its length gives giraffes access to high foliage without adding extra neck vertebrae.
Giraffe locomotion: The characteristic walking and running movements of giraffes, including a distinctive two-sided gait. Their long limbs shape both their walking rhythm and galloping stride.
Giraffe conservation: Efforts to protect giraffes, their habitats, and the ecological conditions that sustain their populations. Habitat loss, conflict, and illegal killing threaten giraffes in parts of Africa.
Northern giraffe: A giraffe species found in parts of central and eastern Africa, with several recognized subspecies. Its populations demonstrate how giraffes are classified beyond the familiar single-species view.
Deer: Hoofed mammals in the family Cervidae, most of which bear antlers that are shed and regrown. Deer are often compared with giraffes, but belong to a different family and have antlers rather than ossicones.