MadSci Network: Medicine |
Hello Mike, Thanks to pub med I was able to locate the information you requested concerning Giraffe respiration. I certainly hope the information below satisfies your curiosity. According to Langman VA, Bamford OS, Maloiy GM : Measurements have been made on respiration of three resting unstressed adult giraffe under normal conditions. Tracheal dimensions and body dimensions have also been measured in a large number of giraffe and other mammals. The results indicate that contrary to statements in the literature the giraffe does not have an abnormally large dead space, though the trachea is abnormally long and narrow. The respiratory measurements indicate that the giraffe breathes as predicted by published scaling equations, and at rest shows no abnormalities of rate or depth. The respiratory evaporative water loss is very small. Body temperature is labile with a range of at least 3.3 degrees C, and oxygen consumption, respiratory frequency, minute volume and respiratory evaporative water loss are all strongly correlated with body temperature. Hugh-Jones P, Barter CE, Hime JM, Rusbridge MM wrote an abstract on "Dead space and tidal Volume of the giraffe compared with some other mammals" The ventilation, tidal volume and anatomical dead-space were measured in a living giraffe and compared with similar measurements in a camel, red deer, llama and man. The giraffe had a resting tidal volume of about 3.3 litres with a dead-space/tidal-volume ratio of 0.34. The giraffe breathes slowly, apparently because of the unusually small diameter of its trachea relative to its length, compared with known measurement in other mammals. PMID: 734250, UI: 79097150 espiration 1980;39(1):8-9 The reference range for CO2 level is approximately 9.6-25.9 mmol/l for arterial blood. I have also included some interesting facts on the giraffe that other readers may enjoy . ANATOMY: Has only 7 vertebrae in long neck- the same as humans. Each adult giraffe vertebrae is about 11 inches long. Special valves in the neck arteries help control the blood flow and heart pressure when the animal raises and lowers is head. This blood control prevents the animal from passing out by maintaining a somewhat constant amount of blood to the brain. The prehensile lips and long, flexible tongue help the giraffe to obtain food by plucking the leaves off of thorny branches. As a ruminant, the giraffe may swallow a great deal of leaves to store in one of 4 stomach compartments, to be regurgitated and chewed for later digestion. This allows the giraffe to watch for danger while chewing its cud. SENSES: Acute peripheral vision; sense of smell and hearing are excellent. Height provides an increased range of vision. LOCOMOTION: May run up to 30 mph. HABITS: Browsing among the tall trees, the giraffe competes only with the elephant for this food source. Giraffe avoid drinking for long periods of time and often stand when sleeping because it is very difficult to rise from the kneeling position. DEFENSE: Vulnerable to predators when lying down. When cornered, it can inflict a destructive blow, kicking with the front legs. SOCIAL UNIT: Giraffes are social animals with herds of up to 50 individuals, but more commonly 12 to 15. This allows for better protection of young from predators. REPRODUCTION: 1 young born after gestation period of 453-464 days. Female gives birth while standing. Baby drops 6 feet to ground. Thankyou for submitting this question to MadSci. June Wingert RM(ASM) Baylor College of Medicine Center for Comparative Pathology Center for Comparative Medicine Houston, Texas 77030
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