Why the Giraffe Has a Long Neck
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Pourquoi means “why” in French, and pourquoi stories are common in many cultures to explain why something exists. Perhaps you or your children have heard tales of why the leopard got its spots or why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears. This is my seventh pourquoi story.
Did you know the giraffe used to have a regular size neck? Living on the African savannah can be tricky for animals – especially if you are quiet, gentle, and peace-loving like the giraffe. There are over 45 species of mammals sharing the space including the aggressive lion and destructive hyena . . . not to mention the deadly Black Mamba and the sneaky Nile Crocodile.
The giraffe always had an even-temper, and the bulls and cows strived for harmony among their own herds and within the larger grassland community. Like many calm souls, the giraffe learned early on that the key to happiness is to take the time to enjoy the simpler things in life. You see, the giraffe has a big heart (actually weighing up to 24 pounds) – and it demonstrated its giving nature by letting the other animals have the first tastes of the best morsels. The giraffe was content to step aside while the elephant bullied its way towards the best grass and its cousins, the deer and cattle, used their hooves to beat the ground towards the lush lakes, ponds, and rivers. The result of letting others jump ahead in the Serengeti buffet line was that there was little left over for the giraffe to eat. The giraffes never complained or cried about its plight (and actually the giraffe does not have tear ducts).
In order to find enough to eat, the giraffe found it necessary to hunt for food up to 22 hours each day. When giving birth (after 13-15 months of gestation), the female giraffe didn’t even have time to lie down. The cows gave birth standing up causing the calves to drop some 5 feet as a welcome-to-the-world thump. Mother Nature saw the generous and stoic giraffe and wanted to bless them with the ability to experience fine dining at their leisure. The acacia tree is native to the savanna, and with the gift of an elongated long neck for reaching the tender shoots and greenest leaves, the giraffe was in gastronomical bliss. With all good things, there are often complications. The acacia leaves contain lots of moisture, but still the giraffe would need to drink water from time to time. Circulation with a lengthy neck could become a problem causing a severe blood rush and even unconsciousness. Luckily Mother Nature was proactive and provided the creatures with elastic blood vessels in its necks and capillary nets in its brains to avoid problems when bowing their heads to drink.
Today the giraffes enjoy their elevated stature and delicious dining opportunities. They remain docile and meek in all circumstances embracing the delicacies of the plains, the beautiful scenery, and the reality to live in concord with the other creatures of the continent.
For more "why" stories, see: Elephant/trunk, Turtle/shell, Sheep/bleat, Chicken/teeth, Kangaroo/pouch, and Deer/antler.
Truckstop Sally
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Thanks Denizee - The info about their heartsize, tear ducts . . . is true. Just trying to make sense of that looooong neck!
Another nice perspective about the evolution of giraffe.
Never knew the giraffe had a regular size neck at one time, interesting.
I was at a zoo with my Dad when I was very young and had cotton candy on a stick and was visiting the giraffes. There went my cotton candy :) Thanks for bringing back that memory for me.
It seems to me stories of this type were put to song back probably in the 1950's. I seem to recall one about how the leopard got his spots.
I thought the Giraffe got it's long neck because they were to cheap to buy front row tickets to the "Astro's" baseball game at the"Minuite Maid Park":-))
agusfanani - Thanks for your note. Gotta be some reason for the long neck - huh?
JustAskSusan - Funny story about your cotton candy. Wonder how he liked it? Did you get to see his tongue? Also long and a black-ish blue color (to prevent sunburn). Thanks
dahoglund - Thanks for your note. There is a wonderful children's book of tales named How the Leopard . . . I'll look for the songs.
Mentalist acer - Now, are you saying the Astros aren't worth watching? Ha! I am a BIG fan, and they won on Sunday. But, truly they are living up to their disAstro name again.
Sally - really fun! I didn't know their hearts weighed that much! I didn't realize I didn't know really anything about this creature.
I saw a 3D movie at our science center with Laurel when she was young - it was Serengeti! To date - it is the most beautiful, fascinating movie I have ever seen. This reminded me of that. I saw it in a dome ceiling theater so no matter where you looked it was as if you were in the center of the movie with all of the animals charging. The 3D effects - amazing! Maddy can't watch movies there - it's so realistic it gives her motion sickness!
RealHouseWife - Thanks for your note. We have a new baby giraffe at our local zoo. Beautiful! I do a little research on the animals in these "why" stories -- to make them a little believable. Ha! IMAX movies like that make me very dizzy too. I just find a spot near the bottom corner to watch . . . not much fun.
Poor you! I can picture you trying to get away from that screen! We don't go much anymore because Maddy just can't take it. I had no idea it could affect a person like that! Well - I'm going to show the girls a couple of hubs when they get home.
(they love reading yours too)! You got three fans for the price of one:)
Haha! You have quite the imagination. Enjoyed this. You can certainly spin a yarn! Funny and up!
Hey when's the next Story Hour Ms. Sally? Loved this and I'll bet you've got a lot more where that one came from. Fun, Fun, Fun! Thanks for sharing.
RealHouseWife - Wish my kids were still young enough to enjoy something I am interested in. Or at least pretend! Ha!
Peggy W - Thanks for your note. I love tall tales, and I guess these are a version of them. Surely there is no good reason the giraffe has such a long neck.
bMalin - I don't have a story in mind, but there are lots of crazy-looking animals out there. Thanks for reading! Hope you are feeling better!
This was really interesting, Funny how animals have changed over time. I didn't know about the neck, amazing. Thank you.
Your Hubs are always so pleasant to read. Like a quiet glass of wine.
always exploring - Thanks! I am sure characteristics of some animals have evolved over time due to their environments . . . but mine are all for fun.
mckbirdbks - Now that is a compliment! Thanks so much! Cheers!
Very interesting Truckstop Sally! What a beautiful photo!
Thanks samiaali! This was fun to write. I wanted to show a photo with the giraffes using those long necks. I have not traveled much, but I am sure Africa is beautiful.
I like the style of this story, TS. You tell it like you're talking to a group of eager and interested students. Thanks for the read!
shogan, Thanks for your kind note! These are fun to think abaout and write. I'm hoping to keep someone's interest. Ha! I think the next one will be about zebras and their stripes.
Hi, well I never knew that! lol I love giraffes they are so sweet and cute, I would love one as a pet, bit of a problem trying to get it into my flat though!
Thanks Nell Rose! Too funny! When my brother was little he was obsessed with penguins. He just couldn't understand why we couldn't have one at home.
Interesting. I'm always shocked when I see them run (on television).
Doug Turner Jr, Thanks for your note. You know, when giraffes walk - they move both legs on the same side at the same time. When they run, they swing their back legs in front of their front legs. Very cool!
Thanks, you 've told me what I never knew about the Gireffe. Keep it up!
Thanks Ojugbeli! All in fun! Glad you liked!
Here is another "fun" fact for your giraffes. They have the normal number of vertebrae in their necks. Their cousin, the Okapi, has the same number but not the long neck. The vertebrae are just longer. I have a collection of 125 giraffe statues, stuffed animals, and pictures.
Becky - Thanks!! Isn't that amazing! We have a new baby giraffe at our zoo, and the exhibit is quite popular. Wow! What a giraffe fan you are. You should write a hub with other fun facts! They are truly beautiful animals.
Something new I learned just the other day, a giraffe's tongue is so long that they can clean their own ears.
Yikes, becky! That is a long tongue!
I forgot to tell you they are about 26" long.
Becky - I think I also remember reading that the giraffe's tongues are black -- to prevent sunburn. I'm teaching in a writing camp for 2 weeks (6 and 7 year-olds), and we are writing haikus tomorrow. I'm working on one about giraffes to use as a model.
It was in your article about them being black. LOL It should be interesting teaching a class on haikus. I home school my daughter and have absolutely no talent in poetry. I tell my daughter how they are done from articles and examples and tell her to give it a try. She is very poetic.
Hi Truckstop Sally...You have a new fan! I loved this hub! I have a short attention span but somehow you manage to keep my attention from start to finish! Superb!
Thanks again Sunshine625! There are many folks who write long, long fabulous stories, but I try to keep mine to about 1 page when types on my word processer. After that, I'm thinking I don't have much worth reading. Ha!
Denizee 12 months ago
Thank you for sharing information on one of the most beautiful and amazing animals God gifted to the world.
I've often wondered about them but never took the time to research and learn about their natural abilities. Thank you for posting.