Why Neck Long Giraffe ?

Some time ago, scientists discovered the fossils of giraffe ancestors. According to scientists, the ancestor of the giraffe does not have long neck. Why is the giraffe's neck turning long?

Ancestors of Short-Necked Giraffe

The fossil of the Giraffe ancestor had no long necks and legs. The neck and legs of the giraffe's ancestors are shorter and bigger, much like an occa. Tall giraffe ancestors are only 2.7 meters (male) and 1.95 meters (female). In fact, modern male giraffe can reach a height of 5 meters.

Although physically different, the giraffes and their ancestors had two things in common. Giraffes and their ancestors both have double canine teeth and both have ossicones (horn bulge in the head). Modern giraffes have two ossicones, if their ancestors had four ossicones.

Illustration of a short-necked giraffe ancestor. | journals.plos.org - Oscar Sanisidro
Then, why did the coconut evolve into a long-necked animal?

Until now, scientists still do not know the exact answer. However, there are some experts who try to find out the question.

According to Mr. Jean Baptiste Lamarck (naturalist from France), giraffes usually eat the leaves that are on the tree. Because the food is on high ground, giraffes must have long necks and legs. Because of that need, the offspring of giraffes begin to experience gene changes, they begin to be born with long necks and legs.

If the researchers Truman P. Young and Lynn A Isbel have other opinions. According to them, not all giraffes like to eat the leaves that are on the tree. According to the two researchers, the old giraffes had short necked but the male giraffes liked to pit their necks for a partner.

A giraffe with a long neck often wins and earns a partner. The long neck gene was passed down to her children. The longer, more and more giraffe children are born with long necks. Because of that, the current giraffe has a long neck, both male and female

Mr. Graham Mitchell had another opinion. According to him, the long neck of the giraffe is an evolution to counter the heat in Africa. As the sun shines, the giraffe will face its head toward the sun. Because of the long neck, the body of the giraffe will be protected from the sun.

Until now, scientists are still doing research to find out why the giraffe neck turns into a long.