How many neck vertebrae does an adult giraffe have?

An adult giraffe has seven neck vertebrae.

Giraffes have the same number of cervical vertebrae as most other mammals, including humans. The remarkable difference is their size: each vertebra can be more than 25 centimetres long, allowing the neck to reach roughly two metres. Their necks became extremely elongated through evolutionary changes in the proportions of the vertebrae rather than through the addition of extra bones.

The giraffe’s neck is supported by powerful muscles and specialized ligaments. Its cardiovascular system is also adapted to the height difference between the heart and the brain. A large heart and strong blood vessels help maintain blood flow when the animal raises or lowers its head.

A common misconception is that giraffes have many more neck bones than people. In fact, the count is the same seven; the bones are simply extraordinarily elongated and robust.