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How do giraffes pump blood all the way to their heads?

AnimalsMammals

Quick Answer

Giraffes have very high blood pressure and special blood-vessel adaptations that help push blood up a neck that can be about 2 metres long.

The Full Story

Giraffes have the highest known blood pressure of any land mammal, which helps force blood to the brain despite their long necks. Their hearts are large and muscular, and their arteries have thick walls to manage the pressure. Special valves and tight skin in the legs help prevent blood from pooling when they lower or raise their heads. These adaptations also help protect giraffes from fainting when they bend down to drink.

Key Facts

1.A giraffe neck can reach about 2 metres long
2.Their blood pressure is roughly twice that of many other large mammals
3.The heart is adapted to generate unusually strong pumping pressure

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