Smyrna times., 1936-12-03
GIRAFFES ARE
NOT ALL MUTE
Game Warden Says Young
Bawl and Low Like
Calves
AN INTIMATE STUDY

Washington, d. C.-Some natural
lists long have held that giraffes are
voiceless animals, unable to make
sound even when in agony. A re
cent challenge of this occurs in the
annual report of the Kenya (Afri-
CAD game warden, which AYERS
that a young giraffe, separated
fom its mother, will bawl, and low
like hungry calf.
Whether mute or not, the giraffe
is one of the worlds most peculiar
animals" says the National Geo
graphic society. 1T has at least
two other claims to distinction 1t
is the worlds tallest mammal and
one of the most expensive animals
found in menageries.
"A giraffe's neck, long as it is,
contains no more vertebrae than
does the neck of man. 1t is mere
ly elongation of the vertebrae that
elevates the giraffe's head among
the treetops.
Thorns No Bother.
Possessing few means Of de-
fense, giraffes are protected by
their coloration. Their irregularly
marked coats blend so perfectly
with the dappled sunlight and sha-
dows of the trees on which they
feed that at a distance they are diff
ficult to detect Thorny acacias do
not prove a trial to them, for the
animals tough hides protect them
from long thorns, and their elastic
tongues taper to pluck leaves with
out including the trees piercing
armor.
when feeding among the tree
tops, 16 or 18 feet above the ground,
the giraffe's long-lashed eyes can
scan a wide range for menacing
enemies. When grazing, however, or
drinking from a water hole, the an
imal cannot see lions prowling in
the surrounding grasses. Since D.
springing lion could break gi-
raffe's neck, it is fortunate that the
giraffe can survive long time be-
tween drinks. Dew on leaves helps
to quench its thirst.
Lions usually stalk giraffe in
pairs. Attacked by single lion, a
giraffe might be able to fend it off
by kicking viciously, or, if able to
shake the lion off its back, it could
escape by running.
"Giraffes usually seek safety in
flight. Hunters pursuing them en-
horseback do not have an easy time
catching up. Given few minutes
lead, especially over uneven ground,
they, travelling more than 80 miles
an hour, can outrun a feet Sudan
horse. Young giraffes begin gallop-
ing shortly after they are born, and
usually keep up with the herd.
Use for Tough Hides.
/ Africans hunt these animals for
food, and for their tough hides out of
\ which they make shields and SAN
| dals. They often strip the hide off in
pieces 30 feet long. Although indis-
( criminate hunting has rapidly de-
creased the number of giraffes.
many herds still roam the heart of
4 Africa.
"Giraffes are among the most
costly animals in captivity, not SO
much because they are scarce, but
because they are temperamental.
They are delicate and nervous.
Necessary surgical operations can
be performed on many wild ami
mails, but seldom on giraffes. They
are so tirnid that they show alarm
at the least cause. They even have
been known to drop dead when their
keepers approached to give them
medicine.
Catching them in pitfalls or traps
is out of the question because Of in
jury that would result to their necks
and legs. The usual method Of cap
turing them is to pursue herd un
til the young drop out exhausted
or to drive herd into corral.