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Giraffes have
long necks …
3
3 RESEARCH
At this point, the
researcher goes
away to do some
basic research, to
see if anyone has Away you go! See
if you can propose
suggested answers an answer to the
question.
to the question. 4
4 HYPOTHESIS
Develop a
hypothesis which
might explain why
giraffes have long Write down
your
necks hypothesis.
5
4 HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis
Young, T. P., & Isbell, L. A. (1991). Sex differences in giraffe feeding ecology:
Energetic and social constraints. Ethology, 87(1-2), 79–
89. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1991.tb01190.x
Leuthold, B.M., & Leuthold, W. (1972). Food habits of giraffe in Tsavo National
Park, Kenya.
5 TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS 1
Field observations of giraffe feeding (Young and Isbell 1991)
15 minute samples (n=39)
Record
• plant species
• plant height
• # bites per eating bout
• time per eating bout
• giraffe identity
20
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Feeding Height (m)
60
(>2m).
40
12
8 EVALUATION
A New Direction …
As you observed giraffes feeding, you also noticed that
males would frequently spar (and sometimes fight) by
swinging their heads and necks at each other.
MALE GIRAFFES NECK FIGHTING
(I suggest that you run this video without sound!)
25
20
the smallest.
15
10 The ability of a bull to displace
5 another bull indicates dominance.
0
A Bull B Bull C Bull (based on Pratt and Anderson 1985)
Dominant Bull
2
(based on Pratt and Anderson, 1985)
0
A Bulls B Bulls C Bulls
Bull Type
18
Why do giraffes have long necks?
• Hypothesis 1: Giraffes have long necks in
order to take advantage of high food sources.
REJECTED
21
AND NOW ITS YOUR TURN!
Zebras have black and white
stripes …