Giraffes are among the most remarkable animals on Earth, and their extraordinary height is only one of the many things that make them fascinating. According to BBC Wildlife, these animals have several unusual physical features and behaviours that help them survive in the wild.
Giraffes are born with small, skin-covered ossicones, which gradually become harder and eventually fuse with the skull as they mature. Their lungs can hold an impressive 50 to 70 litres of air, while their long necks contain the same seven vertebrae found in humans. Their joints are specially adapted to give the neck a remarkable range of movement.
Another surprising feature is their prehensile tongue, which can grow up to 50 centimetres long and helps them grab leaves from trees. Giraffes obtain much of their water from plants, meaning they generally need to drink only a few times a week. They are also known for their extremely short sleeping periods, reportedly getting around 30 minutes of sleep or less each day.
Their enormous bodies require a highly specialized cardiovascular system. Their hearts and blood vessels help maintain blood flow throughout their tall bodies and prevent dangerous changes in blood pressure when they lower their heads to drink.
Female giraffes cooperate in caring for young calves, sometimes forming nursery groups. Adult males usually leave the groups where they were born and often live alone, except during mating.
Despite their quiet appearance, giraffes communicate through numerous sounds, including snorts, coughs, hisses, moans, grunts and growls. They can also run surprisingly fast, reaching about 35 mph over short distances.
Standing around 4–5 metres tall, the giraffe is the world's tallest mammal, with some individuals recorded at nearly 5.9 metres. Their heart can weigh approximately 11 kilograms and pump large amounts of blood through their enormous bodies.
From their towering height and powerful hearts to their unusual sleep habits and remarkable tongues, giraffes are truly extraordinary animals.
