One astonishing fact about giraffes that many people might not know is that they have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans. Despite their long necks, giraffes only have seven cervical vertebrae, the same number as humans and most other mammals. However, each of these vertebrae in giraffes can be up to 10 inches (25 cm) long! This adaptation allows them to reach high branches for food, but it’s quite remarkable that they achieve this length with the same number of bones that we have in our much shorter necks.

Photo credit to Elliot Connor