Long Necks in Giraffes
Most people assume that giraffes’ long necks evolved to help them feed. If you have a long neck, runs the argument, you can eat leaves on tall trees that your rivals can’t reach. But there is another possibility: the prodigious necks may have little to do with food, and everything to do with sex.
There is a theory on ‘necking’ to compete for females. Giraffes stand side by side and swing the backs of their heads into each others’ ribs and legs. To help with this, their skulls are unusually thick and have horn-like growths called ossicones on the tops of their heads.
What do you think? Give your thoughts in the comments below!
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Happy reading,
Barry 🍩