Giraffe feeding high
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Giraffe |
| Scientific name | Giraffa camelopardalis |
| Taxonomic group | Giraffidae |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Ecosystems | Grasslands, savannas |
| Grasslands and savannas | Tropical savanna |
| Ecological interactions | Herbivory |
| Selection and adaptations | Selection |
| Selection | Natural Selection |
| Organisms | Animals |
| Animals | Mammals |
| Date | August 08, 2003 |
| Location | Serengeti National Park,Tanzania,Africa |
Giraffe feeding high in tree top, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. One of the most frequently cited examples of natural selection, giraffes are especially well adapted for feeding near the tops of savanna trees. They have evolved immensely long necks and long legs; a full-grown male may be 18 ft (5.5 m) tall, although females are somewhat shorter. In addition, they have a 1.5 ft-long tongue (45 cm) and mobile lips that allow them to pluck small and highly nutritious leaves from twigs, along with a very efficient digestive system that enables them to get the maximum nutrition from the food they eat.
