Giraffe Research Paper

The giraffe has the longest neck of all animals alive today. But the long neck of the giraffe must work with the circulatory system that brings blood to the brain. Since the brain of the giraffe is located so far away from the heart, the blood pressure the heart generates is approximately two times that of another animal with a similar weight. Due to the high blood pressure, the artery walls of the giraffe must be strong otherwise the giraffe would die of internal bleeding. The blood pressure, arterial wall strength and the length of the neck must all be in balance.

When a giraffe lowers its head to drink, its brain goes from being two meters above the heart to two meters below the heart. This quick change in pressure should kill the giraffe,