"Beyond the Neck: The Surprising Eating Habits of Giraffes"

​   Giraffes are majestic creatures that are known for their long necks and spotted coats. They are one of the most recognizable animals in the world, but do you know what they eat? Despite their towering height, giraffes have a very specific diet that might surprise you.

   First of all, it’s important to understand that giraffes are herbivores, which means that they only eat plants. But within that category, they are quite picky. Their diet consists mainly of leaves from trees and bushes. In fact, they eat up to 75 pounds (34 kg) of vegetation every day!
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   But what makes giraffes unique is the types of leaves they prefer. They have a long tongue that can reach up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length, and they use it to grasp branches and leaves from tall trees. Their favorite leaves come from acacia trees, which are known for their long, sharp thorns.

   So how do giraffes avoid getting stabbed by these thorns? The answer lies in their specially adapted mouths. Giraffes have tough, leathery lips and a thick layer of salivia that protects their mouth from thorns. They are also able to use their long tongues to strip off the leaves without getting punctured.
   Despite being able to eat thorny leaves, giraffes actually prefer young, tender leaves that are easier to digest. During the dry season, when food is scarce, they will eat a wider variety of plants including flowers and fruits.
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   Giraffes are also known for their unique drinking habits. Because of their long necks, they are able to reach water sources that other animals can’t. They bend down awkwardly to reach drinking holes, and then use their powerful suction to draw water up through their lips.
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​   Athough they are primarily herbivores, giraffes have been known to occasionally eat meat. This behavior is extremely rare, but researchers have observed giraffes eating small animals like birds and antelopes. It’s thought that they might do this to supplement their diet with extra protein.
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   In addition to their unique eating habits, giraffes also have a unique digestive system. They have a four-chambered stomach that helps them break down the tough fibers in the plants they eat.
​   They are able to regurgitate and re-chew their food, which helps them extract as much nutrition as possible from their diet.
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   So there you have it: the surprising answer to the question of what giraffes eat. These majestic creatures may be herbivores, but they have a very specific and unique diet. From thorny acacia trees to tender leaves, they are able to eat a wide variety of plants and extract as much nutrition as possible from their food.
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