• Question: how come a giraffes neck is so long?

    Asked by R Conachie to Angela, Claire, Ian, Robert, Sarah on 12 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Sarah Harris

      Sarah Harris answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      So they can reach the leaves! It’s an evolutionary benefit – giraffes with longer necks could get more food, which comes in handy if there’s a drought or famine.

    • Photo: Angela Stokes

      Angela Stokes answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      I agree with Sarah, the giraffe developed a long neck to reach the new juicy leaves at the top of trees.

    • Photo: Ian Cade

      Ian Cade answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      Although I agree long necks almost certainly evolved to reach leaves on higher branches, there is now an additional evolutionary pressure for long necks in giraffes.

      Male giraffes (much like males in many other herding animals) fight for the position of reproductive male. This fighting involves males standing side by side and swinging their heads at their opponents sides and belly (rather like medieval flail weapons). A longer neck may very well help in these contests.

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