| One
of the few animals that uses mostly its front legs when it runs, the giraffe
in the top right picture went from a standstill to full flight in the blink
of an eye and what was most astonishing was how this hooved animal weighing
3000 - 4000 pounds moved absolutely soundlessly. These elegant creatures
possess an intricate blood mechanism to pump blood up to their heads, enabling
them to bend over to graze without blacking out. The spot patterns are unique
as fingerprints and their coats get darker as they get older which is also
a form of heat control. Giraffes rarely lie down, and give birth standing
up. The babies drop as much as 6 - 10 feet. If they do not get their feet
under them on their own steam within fifteen minutes, they rarely survive.
Males are smooth-coated on the top of head, females have furry crest. Males
often have bald throats under their jaws from head-butting combat. At bottom
left is a rare and unnerving sight; a lone baby giraffe, lost or parents
killed. The odds against its' survival are staggering, but our guide said
a good sign was that it seemed to have latched on to a herd of impala, using
them to warn it of impending danger. |
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