Some animals look pretty ferocious when they are fighting, but others look what can only be described as ridiculous! These two male giraffes have been caught on film in the middle of a vicious contest. But because they are giraffes, they use the body part they are most famous for, namely their long necks. In this extraordinary contest, they literally weaponize their necks – swinging them with speed and power at their opponent. It’s a wonder that they don’t get whiplash and a huge headache. Check out the crazy scene for yourself!
Watch the Intense Battle Right Now
Where Do Giraffes Normally Live?
Thousands of years ago, giraffes occupied the whole of Africa, but that is no longer the case. As northern and Saharan Africa dried up and became desert, the giraffes disappeared. They also disappeared from Egypt 4000 years ago and from Morocco around 1500 years ago. Now, they have a patchy distribution across sub-Saharan Africa. Around a third of them live in government-managed protected areas.
When it comes to habitat, giraffe populations are closely associated with Acacia and deciduous woodland tree species distribution. They are found in scrublands and dense, thicker areas, as well as in woodland and grasslands. You will not see them in mountains or in tropical rainforests.
Why Do Giraffes Fight?
Dominant male giraffes hold their heads high.
©Bull's-Eye Visual Arts/Shutterstock.com
Most giraffe fights are between males and are to establish dominance. However, sub-adult males also play fight for fun. As we see in this clip, when giraffes fight, they head slam each other into their neck, body, and legs. They use their long neck like a club.
During less intense fights, the males may rub their heads and necks against the opposing giraffe’s body and lean into one another. They are probably doing this to demonstrate that they are the heaviest and strongest. Once dominance has been established, the dominant male will carry his head and neck very high, whereas the submissive male’s head will be bowed towards the ground.
How Do Giraffes Normally Communicate?
The precise details of the social lives of these amazing creatures are still a mystery, but it is emerging that they do form social bonds. They seem to monitor each other visually. Giraffes also vocalize. They snort through their nostrils when they are alarmed or annoyed. Also, males use a loud, coughing sound during courtship. Calves use a bleating or mewing sound to attract the attention of their mothers. There are plenty of other giraffe noises, but experts have not yet worked out what they mean!
The photo featured at the top of this post is © rudiPro/Shutterstock.com
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