Giraffe

By jsamson
  • 120,000 BCE

    Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)

    Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)
    About 12 million years ago, scientists believe that today's giraffes evolved from an animal with a similar genetic sequence. The okapi is the only extant member of the Giraffidae family and it had a shorter neck than today's giraffes because vegetation (food) was easily within access.
  • 70,000 BCE

    Samotherium major

    Samotherium major
    About 7 million years ago, the Samotherium species from the Giraffidae family thrived in the Eurasian grasslands. This species had a neck of 1-meter long.

  • Present-day Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

    Present-day Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
    The giraffe has long legs and neck. The longest neck in the largest males can measure from 2 to 3 meters. The giraffe's long legs and neck allows it to eat food from a higher level whenever food from below is not sufficient.