Giraffes: the past
About 15 million years ago, the giraffe's short necked ancestor, the okapi, roamed Africa's grasslands. They ate leaves located high on the tree. They stretched their necks to reach these leaves, as they also had competition for the lower leaves. Over time, as the giraffe's ancestor kept stretching their neck, they slowly had longer necks. When they reproduced, they passed on these traits to their offspring. Soon, their offspring had progressively longer necks. This new characteristic was sent down to the future generations which we now know of as giraffes. Below is an image of the giraffe's and okapi's structures.
Giraffes: the present
A male giraffe is usually about 3, 527 pounds, drastically outweighing the female, which is usually about 1, 830 pounds. The average height is 16 - 20 feet. A running giraffe can gain enough speed to run at 31 miles per hours. Most giraffes sleep about 5 hours every day, but can go with a mere 5 minutes. Both males and females have a spotted coat, each well adapted in their own type of environment and ranging in color and pattern.
Giraffes: in the future
Climate Changes:
According to research, in the future, Africa's climate will change severely. Giraffes live in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. In that area, the temperatures will rise to an unusually high point. The amount of rainfall in that area will also decrease, making it harder to find fresh water. In other areas of Africa, it will become damper, but with increasingly more amounts of rainfall. It brings floods and large rainstorms.
Adaptation 1:
The giraffe's skin will darken in color.
Since they will be more exposed to the sun and its sunlight, they will need protection from the dangerous UV rays. These UV rays will become stronger as the climate changes and the temperatures rise. Darker skin will protect the giraffes better than lighter skin. In the picture to the right, the drawing to the left is the original giraffe skin. The drawing to the right is the adaption.
Steps of Speciation:
1. Some of the giraffes move away to try and escape the heat. They encounter the area of Africa where the climate is wetter. The 2 groups are now separated.
2. The giraffes in the sub-Saharan region have to deal with the sun; their skin darkens. The other group stays the same as it's not as hot.
3. There are now physical differences between the two groups; they cannot breed.
According to research, in the future, Africa's climate will change severely. Giraffes live in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. In that area, the temperatures will rise to an unusually high point. The amount of rainfall in that area will also decrease, making it harder to find fresh water. In other areas of Africa, it will become damper, but with increasingly more amounts of rainfall. It brings floods and large rainstorms.
Adaptation 1:
The giraffe's skin will darken in color.
Since they will be more exposed to the sun and its sunlight, they will need protection from the dangerous UV rays. These UV rays will become stronger as the climate changes and the temperatures rise. Darker skin will protect the giraffes better than lighter skin. In the picture to the right, the drawing to the left is the original giraffe skin. The drawing to the right is the adaption.
Steps of Speciation:
1. Some of the giraffes move away to try and escape the heat. They encounter the area of Africa where the climate is wetter. The 2 groups are now separated.
2. The giraffes in the sub-Saharan region have to deal with the sun; their skin darkens. The other group stays the same as it's not as hot.
3. There are now physical differences between the two groups; they cannot breed.
Adaptation 2:
Larger ears to act as a cooling systems
The giraffes living in the sub-Saharan region will be more exposed to the sun. The temperatures will rise, so there should be some way for the giraffes to cool themselves down. Their ears will expand, acting like giant cooling systems. Similarly, elephants have ears that act the same way. Below is a picture of the new adaptation of larger ears.
Steps of Speciation:
1. Some of the giraffes move away to try and escape the heat. They encounter the area of Africa where the climate is wetter. The 2 groups are now separated.
2. The giraffes in the sub-Saharan region have to deal with greater heat. Their ears expand as cooling systems. The other group stays the same as it's not as hot.
3. Again, there are now physical differences between the two groups; they cannot breed.
Larger ears to act as a cooling systems
The giraffes living in the sub-Saharan region will be more exposed to the sun. The temperatures will rise, so there should be some way for the giraffes to cool themselves down. Their ears will expand, acting like giant cooling systems. Similarly, elephants have ears that act the same way. Below is a picture of the new adaptation of larger ears.
Steps of Speciation:
1. Some of the giraffes move away to try and escape the heat. They encounter the area of Africa where the climate is wetter. The 2 groups are now separated.
2. The giraffes in the sub-Saharan region have to deal with greater heat. Their ears expand as cooling systems. The other group stays the same as it's not as hot.
3. Again, there are now physical differences between the two groups; they cannot breed.