Why Do Giraffes Have Long Necks?

Lexile: 980 | Grade: 7

Passage

When people see a giraffe, the first thing they usually notice is its incredibly long neck. For many years, scientists believed that giraffes developed long necks so they could reach leaves high up in tall trees.

But today, some researchers think the story might be a bit more complicated.

Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world. Their long necks, which can be up to six feet long, seem perfect for grabbing food from high branches. This idea makes sense, especially in places where food is hard to find.

However, newer research suggests that competition between male giraffes might also explain their neck length.

In the wild, male giraffes often fight by swinging their necks and hitting each other with their heads. These battles are called “necking.” The males with longer, stronger necks usually win, gaining the chance to mate with female giraffes.

Over time, this may have caused necks to grow even longer—not just for feeding, but also for fighting.

So, while the old idea about reaching leaves isn’t wrong, it’s only part of the story. Giraffes’ necks might have evolved for more than one reason—survival and strength.