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Why do giraffe have spots?

The giraffe's distinctive patches not only serve as camouflage but also function as a cooling system. Each patch contains a network of blood vessels that allow the giraffe to regulate its body temperature by releasing excess heat.
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The primary purpose of a giraffe’s patches or spots is camouflage. However, beneath each patch lies a complex network of blood vessels.

Surrounding each patch is a relatively large blood vessel that branches into smaller vessels underneath the patch. Giraffe can direct blood through these small branches into the center of the patch to release heat through this system. Each patch serves as a thermal window for releasing body heat.

The image on the left below displays the patches of a giraffe, while the image on the right shows the intensity of heat radiation. It is evident that the pattern of patches directly corresponds to the pattern of heat radiation on the giraffe’s body.

All images from the BBC 4 documentary Inside Nature’s Giants – Giraffe.

Did you know?

Giraffe populations have declined by up to 95% in some areas.

In the BBC documentary “Giraffe: Africa’s Gentle Giants”—featuring GCF’s important work in Africa—Sir David Attenborough referred to this decline as a “Silent Extinction.” These alarming numbers serve as a reminder that we need to protect giraffe now before it is too late.

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Our work with local and international partners affects over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat.

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