Raw Video: Giraffe Born at Iowa Zoo

Staff at a Des Moines, Iowa, zoo captured stunning video of the birth of a baby female giraffe last month. The giraffe was 5 foot, 9 inches tall and weighed in a 147 pounds. Her name is Sabra, which in Swahili means patience. (Oct. 8). LINK: Youtube

Giraffe weevil

"The extended neck is an adaptation that assists in nest building." The photo enlarges with a click. LINK

Photo credit Alex Strauss/Wikipedia, Via: Unique Daily.

The Strange Elegance of the Giraffe-Necked Antelope

Enjoy this piece on Scienceray about the wonderful Giraffe-Necked Antelope of East Africa. Just as their taller friends have evolved to get to the higher branches of green in a barren landscape, this unique species also took to the higher branches of smaller flora.

It’s also obvious, but worth pointing out ~ they’re as cute as all getout.

They will use their forelegs to pull down branches that are even higher than they are and can get to tender new leaves that other animals cannot. As a plus, the GNA does not need to drink water at all – it gets all the moisture it needs from the plants they devour.

Link |Image by Flickr user nonisense. Via: Neatorama

NATURE | Tall Blondes | "Birth of a Giraffe" | PBS

At the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, viewers witness the birth of a giraffe, which enters the world six feet above ground. LINK: Youtube

Baby and Mommy Giraffes

Here’s the cutest animal photo you’ll see today: Sarabi the mommy giraffe nuzzling her hours-old newborn baby at the Memphis Zoo! Link

You can now vote for the baby’s name at the zoo’s website. Your choices are Sesi (sister), Zuri (beautiful), or Shani (marvelous) - all are translated from Swahili: Link, Via: Neatorama

Raising Baby Giraffe Presents Tall Order At LA Zoo

LOS ANGELES -- Zoo officials said a baby giraffe is ready to make her debut after she was hand-raised because her "disinterested mother" refused to nurse her young.

Images: Baby Masai Giraffe
Images: Endangered Animals

The baby Masai giraffe -- the second newborn to arrive at the zoo within three months -- was nursed in the Children's Zoo Nursery. The baby was scheduled to make her public debut Friday morning.
The calf was 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 156 pounds when she was born Feb. 6. The baby receives nine quarts of whole cow's milk per day.

She grew 5 inches and gained nearly 40 pounds since birth.

The giraffe will move into the main exhibit with her parents within three months. LINK

Art History Via Giraffes

If giraffes had been our forebearers instead of monkeys this is what our art history books would look like. These folks covered everything from Durer to Rembrandt to Van Gogh to Pop Art in this inspired portfolio. LINK: minaturebrainwaves