The giraffe is the tallest animal on Earth. Its height can reach five and a half meters. In this case, the body of the animal is comparable in size to the body of an ordinary horse. A good half of the gigantic growth of a giraffe falls on its long neck.
The origin of the giraffe's long neck is still controversial among scientists. Without exception, everyone agrees only that animals have perfectly adapted to the conditions of their habitat. Giraffes are herbivores living in the African savannah. Since there is very little grass in it, the main source of food is the leaves of trees located at high altitudes. A long neck and a muscular long tongue (up to 45 cm) give the giraffe a considerable advantage in obtaining food. The mottled color camouflages it very well in the shade of trees. The strong legs of the animal, which also cannot be called short, allow you to quickly escape from predators (the giraffe can reach speeds of up to 55 km / h). Where did the giraffe get its long neck? According to the theory of the French biologist Jean Baptiste Lamarck, put forward by him at the beginning of the 19th century, the giraffe's neck gradually extended due to the fact that he had to constantly reach for food. Later, this useful trait was passed on to the offspring. Although Lamarck's theory was rejected by most scholars, and the studies of Charles Darwin and August Weismann proved its inconsistency, there is a rational kernel in it. Living things are changeable. Perhaps a long time ago, giraffes' necks were short. Individuals that, for some reason, were born with a longer neck, could pluck the foliage of trees from a greater height. Consequently, they had an advantage in obtaining food, especially in drought, when there was very little of it. Long-necked giraffes survived more often and lived longer, leaving more abundant offspring. Of this offspring, individuals with long necks also survived. As time went on, one generation succeeded another, and eventually giraffes with a short neck completely disappeared. Some scientists believe that the increase in the length of the giraffe's neck was due to the habit of males to fight with their necks during the mating season. Those with longer necks were more likely to win, enjoyed more attention from females, and were more likely to breed. The giraffe's neck has not only obvious advantages, but also significant disadvantages. With such a great length, there are only seven vertebrae in it - the same number as in the neck of a person. The vertebrae are very long, so the neck of the animal is inflexible. To drink water or pick up something from the ground, the giraffe is forced to spread its front legs wide or kneel. In this position, he is clumsy and very vulnerable to predators.
