The team from nDzuti Safari Camp stumbled upon a flirtatious moment between a male and female giraffe. The male was in the process of courting his potential mate by displaying an elegant “neck” dance, which involves a rhythmic swaying of necks. The entire courting action between giraffes is quite spectacular to watch. Gentle by nature, it’s a rather slow and interesting behaviour to observe. However, the male’s way of determining if the female is a potential mate is quite hair-raising, if not alarming to our species. A male will approach the female and rub her backside until she urinates. The bull will then taste the urine to determine if she is in heat. The females that are ready will have more estrus in their urine. Not exactly one of the most romantic courting gestures in the animal kingdom; but such is nature!
The entire process of checking to see if a female is ready to mate is called the “flehman sequence”. The flehman response is performed by a variety of mammals and wide range of felids and ungulates. This response is a mortifying, lip-curling grimace which activates the vomeronasal organ located above the roof of the mouth. This organ detects pheromones. The male will do the “flehman grimace” and pursue the female.
If female is interested she will gently rub and intertwine her neck with her suitor. This behaviour is not to be confused with the more aggressive necking between two bulls. The courting dance is far more gentle. When the urine of the female presents an ideal mating partner, the courship begins. During courtship you might hear the males emit loud coughs.
Giraffes do not have a particular breeding season but they tend to favour the wetter weather. Being herbivores means there is more food around – the surrounding area is therefore covered with thick vegetation. More food means less anxiety around having to search for food.
Enjoy the pics of their strange and curious courting ritual.
Leave a Comment