The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the world’s tallest mammal and its largest species of antelope, with males taller (and usually darker) than females. Full-grown Giraffes stand up to 5.7 metres (18.7 feet) tall, and large males weigh up to about 830 kg (1,800 lb.).

Both sexes have horn-like structures on their heads that help temperature regulation and are used by males for fighting. Their extremely long necks are between 2-2.4 metres (6.6 to 7.9 feet) long and permit giraffes to browse foliage out of the reach of other animals.

Male giraffes use their necks in combat – a behaviour called ‘necking’. In serious necking, competing males face in opposite directions and swing their heads and necks at each other, attempting to hit each other with their horns. These young males in Kruger Park South Africa spent more than an hour posturing, adjusting their positions and whacking each other on the body, neck and legs with powerful blows. No-one appeared to be seriously injured.