What are its evolutionary origins?
2006-08-09 03:36:26 · 5 answers · asked by Calchas 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I'm sure that the giraffe used to looked like any other animal of that sort on the savanna...like a gemsbok or gazelle before the species start splitting to fill more niches.
The giraffe evolved to eat the leaves from higher up on the branches than the other herbivores....having big horns sticking out of your head would just get them tangled up and make for an easy catch for any type of predator lurking around.
So the ones with smaller horns got in, got their food and were able to get out without being trapped. Just a case of natural selection.
Now the males use just those remaining nubs when they are challenging each other for mating rights by swinging their heads to hit the neck or chest of their opponent. More of a show than an actual weapon, but I am sure it still leaves a mark.
2006-08-09 03:42:52 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Guided 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Giraffes are distant relatives of the deer. The antlers are the leftovers of the horns.
2006-08-09 10:47:07 · answer #2 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Males use the horns(not antlers) to headbutt during the mating season. This is also called necking wrestling because they also try to hit each other with their necks trying to assert dominance over the small herd of females.
Girrafes are not related at all to deer. In fact, they are related to horses. They branched out to a separate species a very long time ago.I think I read that in a library book. But not the one listed below.
2006-08-09 14:43:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They use them for head butting other giraffes. Serious!
2006-08-09 10:40:10 · answer #4 · answered by chrchrbrt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
used to forecast weather in the jungle!!!!!!!!!
may be they evolved from grand pa girraffe!!!!!11111
2006-08-11 02:03:42 · answer #5 · answered by lucifer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋