Taller in More Ways

There are more species of Giraffe than we thought. This is because a report in BMC Biology has stated that using genetic evidence they have found out that there is not one species of Giraffe like what we previously thought, but there are in fact six species of the mammal!

David Brown, who worked on the report, said, "Using molecular techniques we found that giraffes can be classified into six groups that are reproductively isolated and not interbreeding.

"The results were a surprise because although the giraffes look different, if you put them in zoos, they breed freely."

They have also worked out that two "subspecies" that both live in Kenya are different species and were separated Melina ago. These species are the Reticulated Giraffe and the Maasai Giraffe. It is also interesting that giraffes travel far and yet they don't mingle with other species.

It was originally believed that there were a couple of subspecies, but they were still all the same species.

David Brown also had to add about the two Kenyan species, "There are no rivers or forests to prevent breeding, but some evolutionary process is keeping the two groups reproductively separated.

"The female Maasai Giraffe may be looking at the male Reticulated Giraffe and thinking, 'I don't look like you; I don't want to mate with you'."

He also had this to tell us: "Lumping all giraffes into one species obscures the reality that some kinds of giraffe are on the brink.

"Some of these populations number only a few hundred individuals and need immediate protection."

I personally think it's great that there are more than one species of giraffe. Although I hope they help the endangered species. Especially as overall giraffes have had a 30% decrease in the past decade.

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