Horns and other bony structures of the skull of the giraffe, and their functional significance

The gross morphology of the giraffe skull and its superficial anatomy is described. The parietal, median, occipital, orbital, azygous horns and other exostoses are described. The giraffe's peculiar mode of intra-specific fighting is explained and the features of the giraffe's skull are related to this. It is concluded that the skull of the male giraffe is highly specialised for its particular mode of fighting. The male differs in this respect from the female whose skull is not so developed and who fights with her forefeet.

C. A. Spinage
East African Wildlife Journal
1968
53-61
anatomy, Giraffe, horns, intra-specific fighting, morphology, skull

Publish Date	March 16, 2017
Last Updated	January 26, 2021
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