Young Giraffe

According to what I posted recently about possible distinguishing features amongst giraffe (& before that, zebra), the observation that giraffe appear to select mates of the same coat type seems to be the case in this (family) photo.

Since 'coat type' refers to the (spot) pattern as well as the colour of the fur, the colouring of this young giraffe certainly is different to that of the giraffe above . . .

. . . as is most certainly also the case with this young giraffe . . .

. . . ditto . . .

. . . ditto . . .

. . . ditto - meaning that the colouring within the same group i.e. the South African (OR Transvaal) giraffe subspecies differs hugely BUT that the pattern - i.e. rounded OR blotched spots, some with star-like "extensions" - is very similar for all of the giraffe youngsters (on "this page") . . .

 . . . because they were all photographed in game reserves across South Africa (& therefore are members of the same subspecies) . . .

 . . . which also is the case for this creche (of giraffe youngsters), although they were photographed in Namibia - where another subspecies, the Angolan/Namibian giraffe, is at home BUT lives "side-by-side" with the South African/ Transvaal giraffe [SEE: previous 2 blog-entries].