The giraffe is recognized as the tallest animal in the world. The research results showed that males reach a height of more than 5.8 m and weigh 1-2 tons. At the same time, males move in 7-8-meter steps!
Instructions
Step 1
Several animals claimed the title of the highest animal in the world, but the first scientists gave it to the giraffe. An adult male weighs about 2 tons, while females are twice as lighter. It is curious that 250 kg of this weight falls on the giraffe's neck, and about 10 kg on its heart muscle. The tallest animal in the world lives in Central and South Africa. In appearance, these creatures look very disproportionate: the legs are thin and long, the chest is narrow, the neck is quite long and is crowned with a small head with excessively huge ears. The giraffe has small horns on its head. It is curious that the neck of a giraffe, reaching a length of 2.5 m, has the same number of vertebrae as the neck of other mammals, i.e. seven.
Step 2
Curiously, because of its long neck, the giraffe has the highest blood pressure of all living things on Earth. If we compare the blood pressure of a giraffe and a healthy person, then the first will have it about three times higher! Such unique anatomical features of a giraffe require a certain amount of effort from its heart muscle. As mentioned above, the heart of the tallest animal in the world weighs about 10 kg and is capable of pumping blood to the brain located at a distance of 3.5 m from the heart! In addition, the giraffe's unique arterial system saves it from serious problems that could be at the watering hole when the animal tilts its head down.
Step 3
It is curious that the bright spotted skin of the tallest animal in the world from time immemorial has been the reason for the most incredible legends and stories. For example, the ancient Egyptians and Romans believed that giraffes were the offspring of leopards and camels. Returning to the appearance of a giraffe, it should be noted that it is only seemingly unsightly, but in fact it is a rather graceful equid! Moreover, giraffes have adapted perfectly to life in the most arid African regions. Their long front legs and unique neck allow them to feed on the leaves from the tops of acacias during drought.
Step 4
Other advantages of the tallest animal on Earth include keen hearing and excellent vision. The giraffe is able to notice potential enemies from a fairly large distance, and the hind limbs allow the animal to jerk off with lightning speed. The tallest animal in the world runs fast - at a speed of 60 km / h. By the way, the owners of the highest growth sleep very little and mostly while standing. It is worth noting that some individuals still try to lie on the ground. At the same time, they put their head on their hind leg, bending their long neck in an arc.
