THE STORY OF GIRAFFE NECKS

 A giraffe's neck is about the same size as an elephant's trunk.  Like the trunk, the neck is a multipurpose tool, but sometimes a giraffe's neck isn't straight. Fred Bercovitch will discuss the evolution of the neck, some giraffes that had 'zigzag' necks, and how the word 'neck' was co-opted into multiple expressions.

 Dr. Fred Bercovitch is a comparative wildlife biologist, who has studied animal behavior, ecology, genetics, physiology, conservation, anatomy, and evolution. He earned his Ph.D. from UCLA based upon a two-year study of the reproductive behavior of baboons in Kenya. He studied giraffes at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as well as in Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa. In addition to studying baboons and giraffes in the wild, he has studied African elephants in Botswana, koalas in Australia, snow monkeys in Japan, and rhesus monkeys in Puerto Rico. When not working, Fred thrives on hiking, backpacking, traveling, reading, sports, politics, and the news.

Also, Mary Dagg, CEO of the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation, will tell us about her recent trip to South Africa. We’ll hear the final two giraffe stories from our writing contest and announce our next contest (you’ll be outdoors for this one!).   

We look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday, September 21st at 11am EDT (Toronto/Canada)!

Not a member of the Junior Giraffe Club? Join today and enjoy this together with us!