Giraffes

Heads up, or rather necks up, from The Wilds (a conservation center in Cumberland, Ohio): a new giraffe calf has strutted onto the scene. This latest addition marks the 22nd giraffe birth at the center. Proud mother, Savannah, isn't a first-timer, this being her seventh calf, and the dad, Raha, has certainly left his mark, fathering 11 calves. With the Masai giraffe population facing concerning declines, this birth brings a ray of hope. The Wilds, in partnership with the Columbus Zoo, is pouring effort and funds into conservation initiatives across Africa to safeguard the future of these towering beauties. If you're around Ohio, pop by The Wilds and get up close with some real high-flyers of the animal kingdom.

Giraffic! Another week. Since nobody cared about the social life of giraffes, I'll paste the text in here again:

"Giraffes are known to have a unique and fluid social structure. Unlike many animals that form fixed groups or packs, giraffes form what are called “fission-fusion” societies. This means that the composition of their groups changes frequently over time. A group might have different members in the morning than it does in the afternoon.

Female giraffes (cows) tend to form groups with their young, and these groups can be quite dynamic. Mothers might leave their calves in a “nursery” group with one adult standing guard while others go off to feed.

Male giraffes (bulls), on the other hand, have a more hierarchical structure. They often engage in “necking” battles, where they swing their heads and necks to strike at each other. This is a way to establish dominance and the right to mate with females. However, not all necking is combative; sometimes it’s more of a gentle intertwining of necks, which can be a form of social bonding.

Despite their seemingly solitary appearance as they roam the vast African savannas, giraffes have intricate social interactions and relationships that are still being studied and understood by scientists."

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Giraffes are known to have a unique and fluid social structure. Unlike many animals that form fixed groups or packs, giraffes form what are called "fission-fusion" societies. This means that the composition of their groups changes frequently over time. A group might have different members in the morning than it does in the afternoon.

Female giraffes (cows) tend to form groups with their young, and these groups can be quite dynamic. Mothers might leave their calves in a "nursery" group with one adult standing guard while others go off to feed.

Male giraffes (bulls), on the other hand, have a more hierarchical structure. They often engage in "necking" battles, where they swing their heads and necks to strike at each other. This is a way to establish dominance and the right to mate with females. However, not all necking is combative; sometimes it's more of a gentle intertwining of necks, which can be a form of social bonding.

Despite their seemingly solitary appearance as they roam the vast African savannas, giraffes have intricate social interactions and relationships that are still being studied and understood by scientists.

The tongue of a giraffe is quite remarkable. It can be up to 18-20 inches (45-50 cm) long and has a dark blue or purplish-black color. This dark coloration is believed to help protect the tongue from sunburn, as giraffes spend a significant amount of time with their tongues out, browsing on leaves. The tongue's length and dexterity allow the giraffe to skillfully navigate around the thorns of the acacia trees, one of their favorite foods. Additionally, the saliva of a giraffe has antiseptic properties, which can help heal minor cuts or abrasions caused by those thorns.

Both giraffes and zebras are native to Africa and share some habitats, particularly in savannas and open woodlands. One interesting similarity is their unique patterns. Giraffes have a distinct spotted pattern on their skin, while zebras are known for their iconic stripes. These patterns are not just for show; they serve important functions.

For zebras, their stripes are believed to help deter biting flies, provide camouflage through a phenomenon called "motion dazzle" (making it hard for predators to single out an individual when they're in a moving herd), and possibly help with thermoregulation.

Giraffes' spots, on the other hand, also offer a form of camouflage called "disruptive coloration," which breaks up the outline of their body in the dappled light of their woodland habitats. Additionally, the spots may help with thermoregulation, as the darker patches have a dense network of blood vessels that can help dissipate heat.

Giraffic weekend yall!

One astonishing fact about giraffes that many people might not know is that they have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans. Despite their long necks, giraffes only have seven cervical vertebrae, the same number as humans and most other mammals. However, each of these vertebrae in giraffes can be up to 10 inches (25 cm) long! This adaptation allows them to reach high branches for food, but it's quite remarkable that they achieve this length with the same number of bones that we have in our much shorter necks.

Photo credit to Elliot Connor

Beautiful shot by Susan Michel.

Thanks and photo credit to Thiago Oliveira.

Thanks and photo credit to Bernhard Jaeck!

Height of Cuteness: Giraffe's Tongue-In-Cheek Pose Steals the Lens. From twitter / X or whatever link

This ~~sub's~~ community's adoptee, Kunene, has been spotted just today - July 26! This is her latest picture.

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If you're looking for a new smartphone wallpaper, here you go!

Or, maybe this one?

Photo credit and thanks to: Frida Lannerström.

Cute Overload:

Many thanks and photo credit to: Crystal McClernon

Archaeologists at a site near Yamula Dam in Türkiye's Kayseri made a staggering find: a 7.5 million-year-old giraffe forelimb bone, adding a new 'spot' to their impressive discovery record. This find was particularly remarkable amidst the expected assemblage of equids and bovids, including an ancient three-toed horse, 'hipparion,' a distinct species from the modern day one-hoofed horse. Oğuzhan Köylüoğlu, an anthropologist at the forefront of the excavations that began on June 7, reported a tally of 612 fossils uncovered so far in this region. Ever since a local shepherd, Murat Adıyaman, stumbled upon a bone fragment in 2017, the area has been a hotbed for fossil enthusiasts. This year, the team decided to 'stick their necks out,' switching up their extraction method by removing fossils as blocks rather than individual pieces. An impressive mix of ancient animals, such as horses, sheep, goats, and antelopes, also surfaced from these age-old dusts alongside the unique giraffe fossil, which remains intact without fractures.

Link to article

Take a look at Arabi, the okapi calf, as she takes a walk with her mom at Chester Zoo.

Photo credit to: Twigatembo

Say hello to Kunene, the latest adoptee of !giraffes.

She's a majestic giraffe known for her escapades in Namibia's picturesque landscapes, from the Hoanib River to the rugged terrains near Puros, and the Skeleton Coast National Park.

Kunene isn't just about long treks and picturesque settings, though. She's a caring giraffe who's been spotted playing babysitter to younger companions like Dylan, Morgan, and a friend, creating quite a heartwarming scene.

Her days are filled with delightful company, hearty leafy meals, and even giraffe gossip. There are also moments of solitude, where she takes life in her stride, like nonchalantly swatting a DNA biopsy dart with her tail.

Despite the rugged terrain and the wilderness, Kunene's adventurous spirit shines through.

Photo credit and thanks to Angela Quinn

In case you haven't seen it.

Giraffic thanks and photo credit to: Peter Godfrey

Almost missed Giraffriday!

Chester Zoo's six-week-old okapi calf, Arabi, has taken her first steps outside, marking a rare moment of celebration for the endangered species. Born to parents K’tusha and Stomp, Arabi is one of fewer than 10,000 okapis remaining in the wild, according to estimates. The okapi species, often referred to as the 'forest giraffe' due to their long necks and zebra-like stripes, faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as endangered, as their population continues to dwindle due to habitat loss, hunting, and conflict. The birth of Arabi at Chester Zoo, which has a 20-year history of supporting okapi conservation, represents a 'vital' addition to global okapi population. Chester Zoo is a part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which aims to maintain a genetically diverse population of okapis in conservation zoos.

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