Male adult giraffe skull

  • Michael Frank, Royal Veterinary College
  • Digital Images
  • Online

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Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Credit

Male adult giraffe skull. Michael Frank, Royal Veterinary College. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Description

Male adult giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) skull. A pair of horn-like structures (ossicones) are visible towards the back of the skull. Ossicones are made of ossified cartilage, covered with skin and fused to the skull at the parietal bones. They may play a role in thermoregulation, and are also used in combat between males. A third horn-like structure (more prominent in males) sits in front of these in the centre the forehead. A giraffe's skull is made lighter by the presence of extensive air spaces (sinuses) within it. The upper jaw has a grooved palate and lacks front teeth. The giraffe skull is 60 cm from nose to back of head.

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