Drawings: Joan Chiverton
They’re Just Like Us!
Did you know giraffes are more like us than you may think?
Prepare to be amazed as we uncover the surprising similarities between humans and the majestic giraffes. With their sensitive and friendly nature, these iconic creatures have more in common with us than meets the eye.
Explore the fascinating parallels between giraffes and humans with these fun facts.
No Bones About It
Giraffes’ necks may be a sight to behold, but did you know they share a commonality with humans? While a typical human neck spans a mere 4.3 inches, a giraffe’s neck stretches an impressive 6 feet long – yet still boasts seven vertebrae, just like us! However, each vertebrae can measure over 10 inches, making their necks genuinely remarkable feats of nature.
Gather ‘Round
Much like us, giraffes have hearty appetites and spend a considerable portion of their day indulging in their favorite pastime – eating! With a daily diet of up to 75 pounds of vegetation, giraffes are herbivorous creatures, savoring bushy and woody plants and even enjoying occasional flowers.
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Sweet Cravings
Giraffes also have a sweet tooth, with a particular preference for mangoes, proving that even the tallest creatures have a soft spot for delectable treats.
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Sleeping Habits
While giraffes may not suffer from true insomnia, they share a curious sleep pattern with humans. Spending only 2-6% of the night in a deep sleep, giraffes sometimes adopt a unique sleeping position – resting their heads on their rumps with their necks curled back.
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Better with Age
Female giraffes outlive their male counterparts, much like their human counterparts.
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Posing for the Camera
With their playful antics, Giraffes have been known to photobomb their friends, adding a touch of humor to their majestic presence. From “Crashing into the Picture” in Namibia’s Etosha National Park to showcasing their charm in the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards, giraffes prove they’re the ultimate posers.
Ready for Launch
NASA has done research on the blood vessels in giraffe legs to get inspiration for human space suits! The elastic-walled blood vessels in giraffe legs dilate and constrict to manage blood flow, while the skin around the legs is very tight and acts as compression socks helping to efficiently circulate their blood.
Nanny System
Honoring the infamous African saying “it takes a village to raise a child,” giraffes, like humans, value community and support, forming daycare-like “crèches,” the French word for nursery, to care for calves while mothers forage for food.
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BFFs
Like teenage girls expanding their social circles, female giraffes grow into adulthood by associating with more females, forming bonds that strengthen their social network.
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Power Struggles
In a test of strength reminiscent of human arm wrestling, male giraffes engage in battles called necking, using their heads as weapons to assert dominance and establish hierarchy.
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Stress Case
Even giraffes experience stress! Like humans, giraffes show signs of stress through damaged tooth enamel, indicating periods of turmoil in their lives.
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Female Uprising
After apocalyptic events and catastrophes, more baby girls than boys are born among giraffes, mirroring human trends possibly influenced by stress hormones.
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Caring Creatures
Giraffes exhibit mourning behaviors, with mothers grieving the loss of their calves and returning to the spot where they died. Other giraffes, particularly females, join this mourning process, showcasing their empathetic nature.
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On The Move
Embracing the spirit of exploration, giraffes often emigrate in search of greener pastures, with some venturing up to 4 miles a night to scout for new territories.
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Balancing Act
Channeling their inner motorcyclist, giraffes use their necks as counterbalances while galloping, shifting their weight to navigate turns with agility and grace.
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Friends of All Types
Much like humans cherish their furry companions, giraffes form cross-species friendships with other animals in the wild, serving as sentinels for herds and forging bonds with zebras, antelope, and wildebeests.
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No Two Alike
Just like human fingerprints, the distinct patterns on a giraffe’s skin serve as unique identifiers, with no two giraffes sharing the same markings. Beyond serving as camouflage, these patterns help regulate their internal temperature and aid in population studies.
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About the Artist
Joan Chiverton grew up drawing New York City, its people and music. As an award-winning art director, Joan worked with ad agencies in NYC and then upstate New York. Since 2003, she has been illustrating for publications such as the NY Times and Wall Street Journal. Along with drawing and painting, Joan also etches and exhibiting work regularly.