Tall, Spotted, and Spectacular

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23wCBsJuzCSE1VVYNFguaUuNYK7aXgiQFT8bsMYNrUuastAzfB22mgzsxpp6c1HsuneGF.jpg

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Giraffes have always been my favourite wild animal — there's something magical about those tall, elegant, long-necked gentle giants. During our honeymoon game drives, every time we spotted one, my husband instantly stopped the car so I could snap as many portraits as humanly possible. Their graceful movements and gorgeous presence never fail to leave me in awe. No matter how often I see them in real life, I am always in awe of their size. ![IMG_6450.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23w2s51RrvopnPwEwSTnoogFyvSkkzTK9F5m9HkvGr4szz9aDTtsSuFMh3VSFZPjgavW4.jpg)

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23ywpnEkPHmfnGmharjcro8twT48ZPgseFLynkv1gk8W3c5urT6raCe9os3togeVgtxv1.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23zbRuPznESpNvGBPbMuFtmnLmnyL6QwMU37Fundjp6mbAYKhAUVvEUt9AQ7kaEuNJzAW.jpg

![IMG_6436.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/241tddG5DXYuz4CobRkpztH17EovBmZs3QwQmi8FWsWWyYyP38JpDX31WX1opxrQ1z9cc.jpg) One of the greatest facts about Giraffes is that their spots and markings are basically like the human fingerprint, every giraffes marks are entirely unique, no two have the same! How epic is that? Along with their cool looks their spots are actually useful, the skin under each mark has large sweat glands and a network of blood vessels that help release heat. Pretty helpful living in the hot African summers I would imagine!

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![IMG_6822.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23x131SASBNnSSTU7y33ekHZ69Xa4UmEV5VqGF4tEmfSVv9fDCChPfzGfqkSpY5VssJXQ.jpg)

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On our one game drive we went on, the guide taught us about the "horns" on top of their heads, they actually aren't called horns and are not horns at all, they are covered in skin and fur whereas horns do not. They are actually called "Ossicones" and are just hard cartilage. Both male and females are born with them. It also helps in identifying male vs female, the males *ossicones* are typically bald from neck battles with other males and are also thicker whereas females are thinner and have more tufted hair. ![IMG_6473.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23xenF7KNkHgY9aKof4jSjeUTNWozdj5Se8ii5VNn2GeGwgm5WrtSJhHfqwcxPuKTACV9.jpg)

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https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23wqpX2ySMT5rbBbfhNYwWMP2QyJifjmDGw7UVZ2p6cHzpohxrEE6bmsxkiuDUCX8hqWv.jpg

![IMG_6793.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23xKrQiCeMcX6L6q1Lr5W4i73ZLfjw7YErbDhqpiKfZFAhjWPoNowiaeo3fNXmpjE98Fj.jpg)*"Um, Really?"* AAh, just look at those long luscious eyelashes!

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23xedMixQYjQS12t5M3xvyV8b88pzb98hZhfz5AT4AAnzAmdJCA2i64uCPLFpmvw3GUKE.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23wgHutbN3RUJ3pqu4fqG4C6byMWGwh76vVm9rg6VduRjZZYjN8GKoD6WbnKEKpZQAqXF.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23xyQr8F2deqs1rocpuAvdAWqpwy3JWDNE8PvCJ128y1YnbzZG3cG9eaKcSP2GokZVvVn.jpg This I feel may be something that mostly everyone will know about Giraffes but they are the tallest mammal and indeed had the longest necks however they have the same number of vertebrae as humans do, only seven. Also, they can reach over 5meters tall!

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23z7FbTJ9gC2JayQBCHFdXuo3kCL1sF3AktEgzJ677u7iaabhfyvWkcB15xY1uonV5SfM.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23ynWbJgnWRcgAdtS8kBe79d2EdFQLZvt5X2MbYAoUdNYEwt1dDzcaY9L2SWjPFJP396c.jpg

![IMG_6802.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23xowbFJPosCJpr1qGMRGGanFDhqijwMCQK7UFaqbchK5bsanxPEtBFvz4hDW4Eqa2u54.jpg) Oh these giants are just so beautiful! I love seeing them in person and watching them munch away!

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/23xVF4dLQycpTL5ygHBYmQRRNdvBNH3LqxA4w9aLuE8HKo6E7JUY9UtnQQKDCmywazH23.jpg

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I hope you enjoyed these giraffe portraits that I had the most fun snapping, I think they were truly getting sick of this little woman with a camera photographing them just trying to enjoy their munchies. ![art and photography.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ajchampz/48qz56dwrwhxC39baZiW83o7YAEyrFr3DfGoeQQjGEYAv3kyzr3o7SYE9s1DFe99DJ.jpg) *All photographs are copyrighted to the author* ~ AJ Champz Photography instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajchampz.photography

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