What is the evolution of giraffes?

What is the evolution of giraffes?

The accepted theory on giraffe evolution is that the giraffes with the longest necks passed on their genes through natural selection, and that it took millions of years to get the animal we see now. The two forces that drove giraffes towards elongating their necks are simple. The need to eat and the need to breed.

Is a giraffe an example of natural selection?

A classic example of natural selection at work is the origin of giraffes’ long necks. Over many generations this process produced giraffes as they are today. This process of natural selection was first described by Charles Darwin in 1859 in On the Origin of Species.

What animal is an example of evolution?

Over many generations, ostriches and emus evolved to have larger bodies and feet made for running on land, which left them without the ability (or need) to fly. The same goes for penguins, who traded typical wings for swim-friendly flippers over many thousands of generations.

Why are giraffes necks so long evolution?

The standard hypothesis, which is an extension of the argument Darwin outlined in 1872, is that competition for food drove the evolution of elongated necks. Giraffes can feed at a variety of levels, and this ability to reach high during times of tough competition certainly provides them with an advantage.

How do giraffes defy evolution?

There are many animals that defy evolution and the bull giraffe is one of them. The circulatory system of only its neck is made with complexity in which evolution cannot create. Evolution also talks about the giraffes getting the long necks they have now by reaching for food on the top of the trees.

What type of selection is shown by giraffes?

This is ‘natural selection’. Consider the giraffe, for example. A Darwinian theory of evolution posits that it was through random variation that some giraffes had longer necks than others. Thanks to their long necks, they were able to reach leaves high up in the trees in their environment.

Did giraffes evolve?

Truly long-necked giraffes didn’t evolve until about 7.5 million years ago. Then, within the last two millions years or so, the lineage leading up to the modern Giraffa elongated the back half of their neck vertebrae, giving them even more reach and making them literally at the top of their class.

How would Darwin explain the evolution of giraffes?

In terms of the giraffe example, Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection would suggest that a giraffe was born with a longer neck by random chance. Having access to more food allowed the giraffe to live longer and reproduce more, ultimately leading to more long-neck giraffes.

How long did it take for giraffes to evolve?

Within a mere 6 million years, they had evolved into animals that looked like modern giraffes, though the modern species only turned up around 1 million years ago. The tallest living land animal, a giraffe stands between 4.5 and 5 metres tall – and almost half that height is neck.

What did giraffes evolve from?

The giraffe evolved from an animal which was a dog sized horse type of animal.They were prey to carnivores and so ran away when being pursued. The animals with longer legs were more likely to outrun the predator and so survived and reproduced. This continued with legs becoming longer and longer.

What are the traits of a giraffe?

Giraffes have long legs and necks, long, tough, prehensile tongues, and leathery mouths for food gathering. Their coloration is protective. They are tall with good eyesight for watchfulness. Giraffes have high blood pressure (240/160) for pumping blood to the brain.

What is the evolutionary history of the giraffe?

The evolutionary history of the giraffe brings us back to approximately 50 million years ago. An animal similar to antelopes evolved into two species that are extant today.

How are giraffes adapted to their habitats?

The giraffe has a number of physical adaptations to help it live in the savanna . The dry, hot conditions in the giraffe’s habitat are ideal for several flying, biting insects which can be irritating to the large animals. A black tuft on the end of the animal’s long thin tail is an efficient fly swatter and keeps insects off the animal’s rump.