Details
The Giraffe - S1.E4 - Inside Nature's Giants

Veterinary scientist Mark Evans acts as guide as a team of experts investigate the giraffe.

Creationists question how this extraordinary creature could have evolved such a long neck, but for evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins the anatomy of the world's tallest animal provides some of the best arguments in favour of Darwinian natural selection.

For example, one nerve takes a huge detour up and down the long neck, from the voice box to the brain, via the chest - hardly the work of an `Intelligent Designer'. And, despite its length, the neck still only has seven vertebrae - the same number as almost all mammals, from mice to humans and whales.

But it's no wonder the giraffe has the highest blood pressure of any animal; with a heart not much bigger than our own it must pump blood at high pressure around a towering body. It has evolved thick skin that acts as a natural 'G-suit' and a complex circulation system to avoid passing out when raising and lowering its head.

And as the dissection team piece together the remarkable evolutionary story of the giraffe, biologist Simon Watt observes them in the field as they eat, forage and fight.

Back to main page

The Giraffe - S1.E4 - Inside Nature's Giants

July 20, 2009

Reviews

There are no reviews for this tv episode yet.

It looks like there are no reviews for this tv episode yet. Have you watched it? Be the first one to write a review!

New review
Video reviews
0 review(s)
Text reviews
0 review(s)

New to Criticate?

Sign up now to be able to rate and review games, movies and tv shows!

Sign up