6533b85dfe1ef96bd12bf08b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

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Charles DevillersJean Chaline

subject

Geographymedia_common.quotation_subjectZoologyHabitmedia_common

description

Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck [1], who introduced the concept of transformism, interpreted the lengthening of the giraffe neck by the animal’s desire to reach the higher leaves in trees: “As far as habits are concerned, it is of interest to observe its result, the particular shape of the giraffe (G. camelopardalis) and its size. We know that this tallest of all mammals lives in the African interior in areas which are almost continuously dry and without a grass cover. The animal thus has to live off the foliage of trees and has to strain itself continously to reach this foliage. As a result of this sustained habit, eventually in all individuals of this race, the front legs become longer than the hind legs, and the neck becomes lengthened to such an extent that the giraffe can lift its head to a height of six metres (close to 20 feet) without raising itself on its hind legs.’’

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77022-7_1