Apart from the fact that a giraffe derives its (species) name, (Giraffa) camelopardalis from its camel-like gait as well as the patches on its fur, which are leopard-like . . .
. . . a giraffe is also the tallest animals in the world because of its extremely elongated neck (can be up to 2m long), which is NOT the result of additional vertebrae (= 7 bones) but instead it's a disproportinate lengethening of the cervical vertebrae.
As I've mentioned before [SEE: previous blog-entry] each individual giraffe has a unique coat pattern . . .
. . . which also varies in colour - from orange to fawn, chestnut, brown or even nearly black, seperated by light hair - usually white or cream in colour - . . .
. . . whereas a giraffe's spots is a key distinguishing factor to determine which (of 9) subspecies it's a member . . .
. . . whilst the coat pattern serves as camouflage amongst the foliage it browses, allowing a giraffe to blend in the light and shade patterns of savanna woodlands.
As I've done in the previous blog-entry, I'm sharing (today: mostly neck-&-face) photos of giraffe to "demonstrate" how vast the difference is even amongst giraffe of the same subspecies . . .
. . . which in this (my) case is the South African (also known as the transvaal) giraffe - and of which some are very handsome species, others a little deformed . . .
. . . and others possibly NOT amused by my comments??? Or why else would it stick out its (relatively) long tongue?
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