In an honorable example of fair play, giraffes pick similar-sized opponents to ensure a 'square go', a new study reveals.
From observations in South Africa, researchers at the University of Manchester found males practiced head butts with males of similar stature.
Giraffe males fight for 'access to a large number of females' by launching their ossicones – the two skin-covered bone structures at the top of their heads – at their opponents, using their long necks for leverage.
The force of a particular powerful impact can cut into flesh, wounding and sometimes even killing a fighter.
Giraffe males practice head butts with males of similar stature, in an honorable example of fair play, researchers at the University of Manchester report. Pictured, two giraffes go at each other in a head-to-head position
For the first time, researchers also report that individuals displayed strong 'laterality' when fighting – in other words, the position they take up when dueling depends on if they're 'righties' (right-orientated) or 'southpaws' (left-orientated).
Individuals consistently preferred delivering blows from either their left or right side, and these preferences dictated the orientation of sparring bouts – whether they stood head-to-head or head-to-tail.
If one giraffe was left-orientated and the other right, they would stand head-to-head so they could each come at the other from their preferred side.
Conversely, if both were left-orientated, or both right-orientated, they would stand head-to-tail.
Interestingly, opponents respected this preference and didn't try to unfairly outfox their opponent by standing on their weaker side.
'Fighting is extremely rare because it's extremely violent,' study author Jessica Granweiler at the University of Manchester told the New York Times.
'I don't know if it's a mutual agreement – respect my side and I’ll respect yours. Never did I see a male try and cheat.'
Interestingly, there was more of an equal split between lefties and righties in the observed giraffes, compared with humans, who are mostly right-handed.
The team looked at northern giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Mogalakwena River Reserve in South Africa between November 2016 and May 2017.
As the species name suggests, this species of giraffe is native to North Africa, but the animals were housed at a private fenced reserve.
Researchers found that sparring bouts were
