Do Giraffes Have Horns?
Giraffes are my favourite Southern African animal. I love them because they have beautiful liquid eyes, long eyelashes, and are graceful. I call them the classical dancers of the veld.
One of my most memorable interactions with a giraffe occurred during a visit to Pilanesburg National Park in the NorthWest province of South Africa. A male giraffe came right up to my side of the safari vehicle and said hello.
How do I know it was a male giraffe? Look carefully at the picture and you will see that the ossicones (columnar or conical skin-covered bone structures on the heads of giraffes) are bald.
Male giraffe saying hello
Both male and female giraffes have ossicones which are cartilages hardened to bone. Giraffes are the only mammal to have horns from birth although the ossicones of a baby giraffe (calf) are not attached to the skull at birth. The horns lie flat on their heads like soft cartilage. This is to prevent injury to the mother during birth. Soon after birth, the ossicones begin to grow and change from cartilage to bone and by the time the giraffe reaches sexual maturity at the age of 3 to 5 years, the ossicones will comprise of only bone and will be fully attached to the skull.
The ossicones of a female giraffe are thin and tufted with hair while those of males are thicker and become bald on top due to fighting or necking. Male giraffes fight by swinging their long necks at each other hence the name of necking. The process of fighting causes the bones of the ossicones and skull of male giraffes to continue to gather boney deposits that add weight over time. This enables the male giraffe to deliver heavier blows during necking contests.
A giraffe’s ossicones also help to distinguish species of giraffe. Some giraffe species grow additional ossicones on their heads. The northern giraffe and reticulated giraffe are both species that tend to grow prominent additional horns.
A beautiful giraffe in the late afternoon at the Pilanesburg National Park
Thanks, Robbie. I’ve always admired giraffes but knew nothing at all about them. And I bet I wasn’t the only one. Which brings me to ‘Neema the Misfit Giraffe’:
I know Neema is meant for children aged 2 – 9, but I suspect a lot of adults would learn a thing or two about giraffes as well. What is the story about?
Neema is different from her fellow giraffes. Their lack of understanding make her feel unwelcome. Neema sets off on a journey to find new friends.
Includes illustrations, photographs, and links to video footage of giraffes, as well as fun giraffe facts.
‘Neema the Misfit Giraffe’ is going to be very popular with kids and adults alike, but before I provide links to the book, I’d like to say how impressed I am with your artwork, Robbie. I was gobsmacked to learn that you painted Neema’s cover, but then I had a look at your art gallery and fell in love with this:
I confess that I’m one of those people who can spend hours watching cat videos on Youtube, so of course I fell in love with this big boy! I was rather taken with the hippo too.
Okay, for those who don’t know Robbie, this is her bio:
Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fourteen children’s book and two poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie and Michael Cheadle have recently launched their new Southern African Safari Adventures series. This series is aimed at teaching young children about the wonders of Southern African wildlife in an engaging and interesting way. Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews.
And now for those links I promised. You can connect with Robbie on:
Website
https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
Blog
https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA
This is the trailer Robbie created for Neema:
Youtube trailer for ‘Neema the Misfit Giraffe’.Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
And last but not least, some purchase links for Neema:
Thanks, Robbie. I’ve really enjoyed this post and I’m sure everyone else will too. 
cheers,
Meeks
