Wild giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are the tallest mammals in the world. These fascinating animals are known by their long necks, long legs, and their beautiful spotted coats. Just like human fingerprints, a giraffes' spotted coat is unique to each animal. However, there is much more to giraffes than just these attributes. Giraffes are also very social; individuals roam the savannas in groups. Wild giraffes exhibit fission-fusion dynamics where individuals interact only temporarily so that members and sizes of the group change frequently, yet stable communities are often maintained. Giraffes' interaction within a population is influenced by the relationship between kinship, spatial overlap, age proximity, and individual social preferences (Carter, et al., 2012, p. 385).
The social organization of giraffes is a vital component of their life history; the social relationship of individuals has been poorly understood (Carter, et al., 2012, p. 385). Carter et al. (2012, p. 385) conducted two studies. The purpose of the first study conducted in 2012 was to examine at the social structure of 535 wild giraffes in Etosha National Park, Namibia. It was designed to test the sex differences in patterns of preferred or avoided relationships with others and whether kinship or spatial overlap between female giraffes could explain observed nonrandom association patterns (Carter, et al., 2012, p. 386). .
Carter et al.'s (2013, p. 901) second study conducted in 2013 was a long-term study in a span of 6 years. This study purpose was to test for sex differences in social network and whether females' patterns of associations and network changed with age (Carter, et al., 2013, p. 902). Bercovitch and Berry (2013, p. 281) analyzed 34 years of data of wild giraffes to determine how age proximity influences herd formation. These findings examined wild giraffes since this species is long-lived (20-30 years) and exhibit a fission-fusion social system; therefore, giraffes were an excellent study species.