The Fascinating Functions of Giraffe Spots: More Than Just a Pretty Pattern

Giraffes are most well-known for their long necks and legs. However, another distinctive feature of the tallest animals on Earth has to be their spots. These spots and patches cover their bodies from head to toe. They appear in innumerable combinations of shapes, patterns, and shades.

While the patterns certainly look pleasing to the eye, their primary purpose is not merely cosmetic. On the contrary: giraffe spots serve several crucial functions that raise a giraffe’s chances of survival. What seems like a mere splash of color runs more than skin deep. Indeed, giraffes’ spots reveal incredible details about their anatomy, evolution, and social structures. 

Giraffe Subspecies Are Defined By Their Spots

No two giraffes possess the same coat markings. In addition, different subspecies of giraffes tend to exhibit different groups of patterns and shades. For example, Kordofan giraffes have more irregular spotting patterns. In addition, their spots can be found below the hocks and the insides of their legs.

Meanwhile, Nubian giraffes normally possess prominent chestnut-colored spots but spotless undersides. Then there are Masai giraffes, which sport irregular, star-like spots all the way to their hooves. Finally, Angolan giraffes contain spots on their legs but not on their faces.

Why Giraffes Have Spots

For years, scientists wondered why these patterns differed and what they meant. Now, thanks to recent studies and marking analysis, we better understand why these spots exist and the purposes they serve.

According to a study from 2018, baby giraffes obtain their marking patterns from their mothers. In total, scientists identified 11 different attributes that can be used to differentiate spots, including size, shape, color, outline, pattern, and distribution. Characteristics such as roundness and smoothness correlate highly in mother-infant pairings, which suggests that giraffes inherit their spots.

While scientists may never know exactly why or how giraffes get their spots, three prevailing theories currently dominate the conversation. They include spots as camouflage, spots as signs of social makings, and spots as heat regulators. Let’s take a look at each of these functions and see how they help giraffes survive and what could underpin their development.

Spots as Camouflage

Many animals evolved spots as a form of camouflage. Patterns such as stripes and spots allow animals with camouflage to blend into their surroundings, which can help them avoid detection by a hunter or the hunted.

In the case of giraffes, the primary reason why they developed their spots is likely as a form of camouflage. Their pattern allows them to blend in with the yellow and brown landscape common across Africa’s savannahs. This suggests that spots evolved in response to environmental stimuli which increased giraffes’ likelihood of surviving and bearing offspring with similar markings.

Researchers have observed correlations between certain spot patterns and calf survival, suggesting that these patterns may influence survival rates. In particular, calves with larger, more irregularly shaped spots were more likely to survive than calves with smaller, more uniform markings. This selection for diversity and uniqueness is likely why so many different patterns exist today and why no two giraffes look exactly alike.

Spots as Social Markings

Another reason why giraffes have spots has to do with their role as social markings. Since calves often inherit their mother’s pattern, this makes it easy for mothers to identify their offspring in a mixed group.

Giraffes live in herds of 10 to 20 individuals, which means that differentiating characteristics serve an important role in helping giraffes tell each other apart. The more easily a mother can visualize her calf, the easier it is to keep it from danger.

Spots as Heat Regulators

In addition to serving as camouflage and social markings, spots serve a third, less obvious function. Anatomical studies of giraffes’ bodies indicate that they use their spots as an intricate method of heat regulation. Specifically, giraffes’ spots help them to release body heat and therefore cool off.

Beneath each patch lies an intricate system of blood vessels. A large blood vessel surrounds each patch which then transitions into numerous smaller blood vessels beneath each marking. Giraffes can send blood into the larger blood vessel, which then distributes blood into the smaller vessels in the middle of the patch.

This movement of blood releases heat through the spots, allowing each one to act as a heat reducer. In a way, giraffes contain a built-in cooling system that allows them to prevent their bodies from overheating. Given that they live in some of the hottest and driest climates on Earth, this remarkable adaptation makes complete sense and helps giraffes thrive.