How did the giraffe get its long neck? Gene analysis tells a tall story

Research into the giraffe genome has uncovered genetic variations that could be behind unusual adaptations to neck length and cardiovascular system

It sounds like a tale by Rudyard Kipling, but researchers delving into giraffe genetics say they have discovered new insights into how the creature got its long neck and gangly frame.

The world's tallest land animal, the giraffe boasts some curious characteristics. Its neck contains seven vertebrae, the same number as humans, but each is elongated. For blood to reach the brain, the heart must pump it to a height of two metres - a feat made possible by an unusual heart structure, blood pressure more than twice that of humans and thick-walled blood vessels.