Did you know that giraffes and humans have the same number of neck vertebrae? It’s true! Despite the giraffe’s famously long neck, it has the same number of neck vertebrae as humans do – seven.

Vertebrae are the individual bones that make up the spine. In humans, there are typically 33 vertebrae in the spine, grouped into three main regions: cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), and lumbar (lower back). The cervical region is located at the top of the spine and contains seven vertebrae, while the thoracic and lumbar regions contain 12 and five vertebrae, respectively.

Giraffes, on the other hand, have a total of 23 vertebrae in their spine, which is divided into the same three regions as humans. However, instead of having five lumbar vertebrae like humans do, giraffes have 10 extremely large and elongated ones that can be up to 10 inches long. The cervical region, which makes up the giraffe’s long neck, consists of the same seven vertebrae as in humans, but each one can be over 10 inches long!

So, why do giraffes have such long necks? The accepted theory is that the giraffe’s long neck evolved over time as a result of natural selection and competition for food. By having a longer neck, giraffes are able to reach leaves on trees that other herbivores can’t, giving them access to a wider variety of food sources and a competitive advantage in their environment.

Despite their impressive necks, giraffes still have the same number of cervical vertebrae as humans – proving that size isn’t everything!