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What are the horn-like objects on the head of a giraffe? |
Large Mammals
Giraffes are the tallest land animals on the planet. Some are eighteen feet tall! Above their really long legs and above their really long necks, all giraffes have two bony horns on the very top of their heads.
They aren’t pointy horns like a rhinoceros has. They’re actually more like knobs and covered with skin. The scientific name for these horns is ossicones.
Giraffes don’t fight each very often, but when they do fight, it’s to see who is stronger. This is when they use their horns, to protect their heads from the powerful, swinging necks of other giraffes.
You can tell the difference between female and male giraffes because the males’ horns are bald on top, while females’ are topped with tufts of fur!
Tall as the Tree Tops
Giraffes can grow up to 18 feet tall! That’s over three times taller than the average grown-up person, and almost as tall as a two-story building!
Imagine you were that tall. How would things be different? You’d probably be able to reach anything off of any high shelf, but you’d probably have a hard time fitting through doorways. What other obstacles would you have to deal with?
Giraffes like to snack on the leaves of tall trees. How do you think their height helps them get to the food they like? Why do you think being much taller than all the other land animals helps them too?
