Body surface area and thermoregulation in giraffes

One of several hypotheses for the evolution of the shape of giraffes is that it evolved to maximize heat loss via a high surface area to mass ratio. We calculated the surface area (SA) of the head, neck, trunk and upper legs, and the lower legs in 60 giraffes of both sexes and a body […]

Brief chapter summaries of ‘Stereotypic Animal Behaviour – Fundamentals and Applications for Welfare’ (2nd ed.)

Repetitive, abnormal behaviour patterns are performed by tens, perhaps hundreds, of millions of animals worldwide: animals that live on farms and in laboratory animal facilities, stables, kennels, zoos, even in our homes. Our introductory chapter reviews the extent of research into this ‘stereotypic behaviour’ – traditionally defined as ‘repetitive, unvarying, with no obvious goal or […]

On elephants, giraffes, and social development

Social development rests on varied assumptions, including the greater effectiveness and efficiency of local over central management, legally endorsed resource control, and the popular ability to take responsibility for the environment. The article outlines the experience of community based natural resource management in Botswana in validating these and other assumptions, and concludes that in some […]