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Giraffes feed on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits, so human population growth and habitat loss can hurt the species. Instances of drought have also led to increased human-wildlife conflicts.
In okapi, the male's ossicones are smaller in proportion to the head, and taper towards their tips, forming a sharper point than the comparatively blunt giraffe ossicone. Whereas female giraffes have reduced ossicones, female okapi lack ossicones entirely. The morphology of ossicones in the extinct relatives of giraffes and okapi varies widely.
The coat patterns of modern giraffes may also have coincided with these habitat changes. Asian giraffes are hypothesised to have had more okapi-like colourations. [6] The giraffe genome is around 2.9 billion base pairs in length, compared to the 3.3 billion base pairs of the okapi. Of the proteins in giraffe and okapi genes, 19.4% are identical.
In another fascinating detail, giraffes favor either their right paw or left paw just like humans are right or left-handed. When they fight, they have a preference for which side to fight from.
Giraffes as a species are classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN, but their populations are rapidly declining, with some subspecies being listed as critically endangered [13] Their primary threats are poaching, human population growth, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and habitat degradation.
A Penn State researcher has been trying to get to the bottom of the age-old question of why giraffes have long necks. Skip to main content. 24/7 Help. For premium support please call: 800-290 ...
Giraffes have long been noted as having a distinctive odour that many find unpleasant. The reason for the compounds found in giraffe pelage has long been speculated as protecting the giraffe. Two highly rank smelling chemicals in reticulated giraffe hair, indole and 3-methylindole have intense faecal odour at high concentrations. Humans rate ...
The mammals were traditionally thought to have little or no social structure. Skip to main content. News. 24/7 help. For premium support please call: 800-290-4726 more ways to reach us ...