a b c Mitchell, G.; Skinner, J.D. (2004). "Giraffe thermoregulation: a review". Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 59 (2): 49–57. doi: 10.1080/00359190409519170. ISSN 0035-919X. S2CID 87321176. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018 . Retrieved 19 October 2011.

Charles Foley; Lara Foley; Alex Lobora; Daniela De Luca; Maurus Msuha; Tim R. B. Davenport; Sarah M. Durant (2014). A Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Tanzania. Princeton University Press. pp.179–. ISBN 978-1-4008-5280-2. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023 . Retrieved 13 July 2016. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Dagg, A. I. (2014). Giraffe: Biology, Behaviour and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1107610170. While the Namibian farmer had spotted Nigel regularly over the years, it was only after our observations that he realized that Nigel was not a juvenile but a fully grown male giraffe," co-author Emma Wells, a researcher for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. "It is mainly in comparison to other giraffe that his difference in stature becomes obvious." Matt McGrath (8 December 2016). "Giraffes facing 'silent extinction' as population plunges". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019 . Retrieved 8 December 2016. But just because this explanation is widespread does not mean it is true. In fact, this “self-evident” explanation retains its ability to convince only as long as we do not get too involved in the actual biological and ecological details. Various scientists have noticed that this elegant picture of giraffe evolution dissolves under closer scrutiny. Here are a few examples of my and their objections:

Behavior

They also eat twigs, buds, fungi, fruits and other vegetation that can be found in the rainforest’s understory. Clay from riverbeds is also important to their diet. The clay gives them minerals and salt that they may not be getting from vegetation. An okapi can eat between 45 and 60 lbs. (20 and 27 kg) of vegetation each day, according to the Rainforest Alliance. Like a giraffe, the okapi has to spread its long legs to get close enough to the ground to get a drink of water. Offspring a b c d e f g h i Pellow, R. A. (2001). "Giraffe and Okapi". In MacDonald, D. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Mammals (2nded.). Oxford University Press. pp.520–27. ISBN 978-0-7607-1969-5. Darwin explains that individuals with characteristics better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and therefore, such traits are inherited. He also said that species that can not compete and adapt eventually become extinct. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the okapi as endangered. This is because the rate of population decline is estimated to have exceeded 50 percent over the past 24 years. Wood, C. (7 March 2014). "Groovy giraffes…distinct bone structures keep these animals upright". Society for Experimental Biology. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018 . Retrieved 7 May 2014.

Bagemihl, B. (1999). Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity. St. Martin's Press. pp. 391–93. ISBN 978-0-312-19239-6. It is strange that Pincher is able to critique Darwin’s view so clearly and yet doesn’t recognize that he is proposing the same type of inadequate explanation. The giraffe ancestor could just as well have developed greater bulk or more running muscles, both of which would have aided in avoiding predators. The fact is that despite its size and long stride, the giraffe is still preyed upon by lions. And as one study of one hundred giraffes killed by lions in South Africa showed, almost twice as many bulls were killed as cows (Pienaar 1969; cited in Simmons and Scheepers 1996). The longer stride of bulls evidently doesn’t help them avoid lions better than the shorter legged females. Who knows whether their long stride may in some way make them more vulnerable? Another speculative idea into the wastebasket.

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a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Dagg, A. I. (1971). " Giraffa camelopardalis" (PDF). Mammalian Species (5): 1–8. doi: 10.2307/3503830. JSTOR 3503830. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2017 . Retrieved 25 October 2011.