Book 11, Question 126
Why Is a Giraffe’s Neck So Long?
A giraffe's neck is so long because it helps the giraffe reach leaves high up in trees! Few other animals can eat up there, so the giraffe does not have to share. That means plenty of food just for giraffes.
More fun facts
- Reaching high food may not be the only reason giraffes evolved long necks.
- An extinct head butting relative suggests long necks may also have helped males compete.
- The giraffe's only living relative, the okapi, has a short neck and eats leaves near the ground.
- Scientists think giraffe necks lengthened in spurts over time.
- Early giraffe relatives already had neck bones that were long compared to their width.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Does a long neck help giraffes stay cool?
Scientists tested that idea and found giraffes do not have much more skin area than other large animals.