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A giraffe is known for its long, straight neck. However, the giraffe in the photo has a strangely bent neck.
A deer with a strange neck attracts the attention of netizens (Photo: Lynn Scott).
Recently, on social networks, an image of a giraffe with a deformed, winding neck has been circulating, reminding people of the image of a snake.
According to Lynn Scott, the travel blogger who took the above photo, the deer currently lives in an unnamed private reserve in Kruger National Park (South Africa).
“The deer was pretty much just standing there, and it was moving very little,” Scott said. “The ranger didn’t seem to mind at all.”
Social media commenters suggested the giraffe had a broken neck, but veterinary experts said there was not enough evidence to support this theory.
“Its neck is definitely quite crooked. But it’s not clear if it’s broken,” said Sara Ferguson, a veterinarian and medical coordinator at the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. “It’s more likely that it was born with a twisted neck.”
This expert said that torticollis in humans is a condition where the head rotates and tilts at an odd angle. This condition can occur from birth, or be acquired later due to a number of causes, such as sleeping in the wrong position, herniated disc, muscle spasms, or spinal cord infections.
In giraffes, torticollis is particularly noticeable because the animal’s neck is deformed in strange shapes.
“There have been some cases before where animals had their necks bent, twisted, or broken… but nothing as severe and bizarre as this case,” said Sara Ferguson.
Male giraffes can engage in fights over mates, which can cause neck injuries (Photo: Getty).
Some theories suggest that the deer’s neck was deformed because it had fought with another deer.
In fact, there are many cases where giraffes suddenly become aggressive, whipping and banging their necks against each other. This is to show dominance and impress other females.
However, according to experts, this deer is too young to participate in the battle for a mate, although its gender has not yet been determined.
Netizens also discussed more about the giraffe’s ability to survive against natural threats, or simply ensuring its needs for food, water, and rest…
Sara Ferguson said the deer’s unusual features would certainly put it at a competitive disadvantage with its fellow herds. This happens to almost all animals, whether they are herbivores or predators.
However, there are special exceptions, when they somehow survive and grow normally.