As we drove through the dry Athi basin, we watched as a herd of giraffe gracefully moved down the steep riverbank to drink water. It is quite a difficult and awkward action for a giraffe to bend down and drink. However, when giraffe walk across the open grasslands, they seemingly have a “glide stride” as they gracefully move so smoothly.
Giraffe continue to amaze me. It is interesting to note that in their very long neck, there are only seven vertebrae, the same as humans. They have a unique and amazing design to control their blood pressure. The circulatory system has several adaptations for its great height. The heart, which can weigh more than 11kg and measures about 60cm long, generates approximately double the blood pressure required for a human to maintain blood flow to the brain.
Therefore, the wall of the heart can be as thick as 7.5cm. In the upper neck, a rete mirabile (wonderful network) prevents excess blood flow to the brain when the giraffe lowers its head. Jugular veins also contain special valves to prevent blood flowing back into the head from the inferior vena cava and right atrium while the head is lowered.
There are three types of giraffe found in Kenya: Masai, Reticulated and Rothchilds. Masai giraffe are found in the Nairobi area. To me, it appears God also showed us some heavenly humour when the giraffe was created, with its long neck and amusing expressions.
The Swahili name for a giraffe is “twiga”. Is it a coincidence, then, that they eat so many twigs, or maybe mankind has not twigged yet? Giraffe are truly amazingly and incredibly designed.
Take time to visit the Nairobi National Park and appreciate creation in more detail.
For more information on the park, you can link to the following websites: www.kws.org or www.nairobigreenline.com or on Facebook – Nairobi National Park