Two male Giraffes (giraffa camelopardalis) just before "necking" near a water hole in the Etosha National Park.
Male giraffes often engage in necking, which has various functions. One of these is combat where males that are successful in necking have greater access to mate with females. These fights rarely last more than a few minutes or end in physical harm. Another function of necking is affectionate and sexual, in which two males will caress and court each other, leading up to mounting and climax. Same sex relations are more frequent than heterosexual behaviour.
Size: 4006px × 6108px
Location: Africa, Namibia, Etosha National Park.
Photo credit: © Paul Springett A / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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