Giraffes

Every Masai giraffe has a unique and distinct spot pattern, much like human fingerprints, which can be used to identify individuals. Researchers and conservationists often use these patterns to monitor the movements and behaviours of individual giraffes in the wild. The Masai giraffe, in particular, is undergoing a silent crisis and has seen its populations decline significantly in recent years due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. They are classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 35,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Conservation efforts are underway to try to stabilize and recover the population.

Photo credit goes to Antony Trivet.

Taste the rainbow.

This community’s adoptee, Kunene, has been spotted by the Hoanib River, and it's quite the sight! Unfazed by the attention, she's engrossed in her snack, savoring the lush leaves on the riverbank. For anyone lucky enough to witness, her tranquil behavior is genuinely captivating.

Weeks following the birth of a spotless giraffe in a Tennessee zoo, another spotless calf was spotted and photographed in the wild at the Mount Etjo Safari Lodge in Namibia. This sighting was the first of its kind in the wild. Sara Ferguson from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation regards the two sightings as a coincidence, mentioning there's no increased frequency of such occurrences.

The spotless condition is believed to be a result of unidentified genetic mutations. A 2018 study in PeerJ notes that some spot characteristics in giraffes are hereditary, with larger spots linked to higher survival rates in younger giraffes. Derek Lee from Penn State University humorously refers to these giraffes as "one-spot-all-over giraffes." The health implications of this condition remain uncertain, but there's no indication that the color variation is disadvantageous.

(Source National Geographic and photo credits goes to Eckart Demasius and Giraffe Conservation Fund)

Young giraffes, especially those still reliant on their mothers for milk, will often be found in what's known as "nursery groups." When a group of female giraffes moves around to forage for food, they'll often leave their calves together in these nursery groups. It's a bit like a day-care system for giraffes.

A single adult female, often an older one, will usually stay behind to "supervise" and watch over the young while their mothers are away. This system allows the mothers to forage more efficiently without the need to constantly monitor their young. It also offers the calves some protection since there's safety in numbers, and having an adult around can deter some potential predators.

These nursery groups are beneficial for the calves in a social sense. Interaction with peers at this young age can help in developing social skills and understanding hierarchy within the herd as they grow older.

The unique giraffe without any spots now has an official name - "Kipekee", which means 'Unique' in Swahili! Thanks to the overwhelming participation, the zoo received over 40,000 votes, and Kipekee emerged victorious by a clear margin of 6,000 votes.

The Naming Journey: The Bright family has always been dedicated to finding meaningful names. Staying true to their tradition of choosing Swahili names for giraffes, they sifted through hundreds of options. They finally shortlisted four names: Kipekee, Firyali, Shakiri, and Jamella. Instead of making the decision themselves, they turned to the public for a final verdict.

Thanks and photo credit to Sebastian Baszczyj.

This community’s adoptee, Kunene, has been spotted August 21!

Happy Giraffriday and nice weekend, too!

Brights Zoo in Tennessee is buzzing with excitement over their newest arrival: a giraffe without its usual spots. This is quite a rare sight, with the last known case reported in Tokyo back in 1972.

Experts, like Sara Ferguson from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, believe it's likely due to a special genetic twist. Interestingly, this giraffe's mom, Shenna, had three other babies, all with the usual spots.

Some studies suggest that giraffe spots might be important for survival. But, wildlife expert Fred Bercovitch feels that this unique giraffe would manage just fine if she were in the wild, since it’s the fur itself that helps animals stay comfortable, not the pattern on it.

The zoo is now asking for the public's help in naming this special calf. And some are even wondering if special lighting might show any hidden patterns on her skin. There's also a video and Source .

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."

🦒🦒

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