Why Do Giraffes Have Horns?

Among the many questions we're asked about giraffes is, "Why do they have horns?" And while the answer to that question varies depending on the species of giraffe, there are some key facts that we can learn about these magnificent creatures.

Breeding

Almost every animal has horns on the top of their head. They serve various purposes, including defense and breeding. Giraffes have horns, called ossicones, that are permanent outcroppings of bone from the skull. They grow to adult size. The horns of both male and female giraffes are hair covered.

Giraffes are large, ruminant animals. They chew food and regurgitate it, then reswallow it. They also swallow it without chewing. They can regurgitate it several times a day.

The giraffe's head is very strong, and its neck is over 1.5 metres in length. It has seven vertebrae, which are separated by flexible joints. These bones support the muscles that hold the neck up. It is possible for a giraffe to run at 55 km/h.

Giraffes are polygamous, meaning that they have more than one mate. They may breed anytime during the year. Females go into oestrus every two weeks. They have a gestation period of 453 to 464 days, and give birth to one or two calves. The female giraffe usually gives birth standing up. The newborn calves are very vulnerable to predators. They remain close to the mother for almost two years.

Giraffes usually live in woodlands and savannahs. They have a spotted coat pattern similar to that of a leopard. They are ruminant animals, and have large, long tongues. They can reach a maximum height of 19 feet. Their tongues can be up to 18 inches long. They are able to drag leaves and twigs into their mouths.

Giraffes are ruminants, meaning they feed on leaves and grasses. They can regurgitate their food several times a day. They also regurgitate their food when they are sick. Their diet is mostly grasses and woody plants. They also drink often. They regurgitate their food, so they need to keep their stomachs full. The females produce between 2.5 and 10 liters of milk daily.

Female giraffes give birth to one calf at a time. The calf is dependent on the mother's milk for the first nine to 12 months. The female may leave for long periods of time to browse. She returns to feed the calf before dark.

Predators

Unlike most other animals, giraffes have horns. These horns protect the giraffe's head from predators. They are made from ossified cartilage and covered with a thin layer of skin.

The horns are not sharp and do not grow very big. However, they are still useful. This is because the giraffes use them as a weapon in fights with other giraffes. These fights can last up to thirty minutes and have caused many injuries. Some have broken necks and jaws.

Interestingly, giraffes have a special blood vessel system that gets blood to the head. This prevents blackouts while lowering the head. They also have one-way valves in their jugular veins. This system is important because it prevents the rush of blood to the brain when bending.

Giraffes can live on leaves, hard plant food, and water. They can also be found in herds of up to twenty individuals. They are also very fast runners. Their speeds are around thirty-five miles per hour for short distances. They can gallop at 34 miles per hour.

Giraffes are known to be able to give thunderous blows with their head. These blows can be heard from up to 100 meters away. They also have a low humming sound. They can also close their nostrils during dust storms. They are also very sensitive to thorns, as their eyelashes are able to sense the thorns.

Giraffes also have a long tongue. The tongue is about forty-five centimeters long. It is also able to strip leaves from acacia trees. The tongue is also used to remove parasites from the body.

Male giraffes are known to use their horns in fights with other giraffes. The fights usually occur during mating season. The fights are believed to establish access to reproductive females. The fights often involve the giraffes using their heads as a club to strike their opponents.

In fact, giraffes can kill predators with a single kick. These blows are also able to knock unconscious combatants. They also can cause serious injuries if the point of the horn strikes the head.

The giraffe is also known to have a unique system of one-way valves in their jugular vessels. This prevents the rush of blood to the brain as the giraffe bends. This is important because giraffes need to bend their necks downward to drink. When this happens, the giraffes necks are at an awkward angle, and predators often try to attack.

Feeding styles

During a normal day, giraffes will feed on leaves from more than 100 different species. Their long necks enable them to reach around thorns, and their thick saliva coats them to protect them from sunburn.

Giraffes have a special blood vessel system in their neck that gets blood to the head. This prevents blackouts when lowering their heads. They also have one-way valves in their jugular veins.

Giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour. They can also reach speeds of 60 kilometers per hour. Their lungs are large. They also have a six-foot windpipe. They are also known to be the tallest land animals. They are also native to many African countries. They have been observed to cover over 1,500 kilometers in the Sahel of Niger.

During a fight, male giraffes will jostle each other. Some fights can last up to 30 minutes. They can also produce thunderous blows with their heads. These blows can be heard up to 100 meters away.

Giraffes are polygynous, meaning that they have many mates. Males begin mating at around eight years of age. When they are older, they usually assert their rights without fighting.

Male giraffes are bigger than female giraffes. They weigh around 110 pounds and are 6 feet tall. Their legs are long. They walk with their weight on their left leg and their right leg. They also have "ossicones," which are lumps of cartilage covered with skin and hair.

Males also have "horns," which are knobby stubby horns. These horns may be used to defend the giraffe's territory. They are also used for attacking other giraffes.

Female giraffes do not fight. They give birth to one calf at a time, after a 15-month gestation period. The calf is about 110-120 pounds and stands six feet tall. They nurse for about six months, after which they begin to explore the surroundings.

Females are most active during the day, while the males are most active at night. They follow well-worn paths through the jungle. They also have glands on their feet, which they use to mark bushes with urine.

Sociality

Besides being one of the tallest animals in the world, giraffes are also known for their unique behavior. Their horns are a means of communication for the giraffe. These animals are also known to be powerful kickers. They can run up to 60 kilometers per hour.

The giraffe is a cloven-footed ruminant that eats a variety of vegetable and herbaceous foods. They are also known for their distinctive pattern of spots that provide camouflage.

The male giraffes have two horns on their head. These horns are called ossicones. These horns are made of cartilage and are very strong. They are used as a weapon in fights.

The horns of the male giraffe are much thicker than those of the female giraffe. The horns of the male giraffes are also covered with fur. This allows the male giraffes to use their horns in fighting.

The female giraffes are generally smaller than the males. They are between 16 and 20 feet in length. They weigh between 1,600 and 2,600 pounds. They also have narrow horns. They usually give birth to one calf.

Giraffes have a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years in the wild. They live in large herds. This can make them vulnerable to predators.

Giraffes have a matrilineal society. Some females stay in their natal areas while others travel as singletons. This can affect the size of the herd. The females usually form long-term associations with each other. However, some male giraffes are solitary.

The female giraffes usually give birth to one calf. They carefully guard their young for the first week of its life. This helps form bonds of attachment with the calf. They then raise it together. As the calf grows up, it will be more likely to associate with the other calves.

When the giraffe is in captivity, it can suffer from constant stress. It can also be prone to illness and may be in need of constant attention. It may also be confined to small areas. This can lead to mental health issues among the giraffes.

The giraffe has a life expectancy of 28 years in captivity. However, they can be abused and can suffer from irregular feeding and watering. They are also at risk for temperature extremes.