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Original poster

Hypothetical question about giraffes

231 replies

Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 21:37

Dh and I were having a debate about giraffes (wild evening here!).
If you had a pet giraffe and you took it out for a walk, would you put a collar and lead up the top by its head, or down the bottom of its neck by its body?
One of us thinks it should go up by its head, so that you could gently pull its head down if you were going under a low bridge, for example, or pull it to the side if you were going round a corner so it could see where its going.
One of us thinks it should be by the body as otherwise you'd have a bloody long lead (duh, it's a giraffe so obvs!) and you could guide it just as well from the bottom as up the top.
YANBU of course it should be at the top by the head.
YABU of course it should be at the bottom of its neck near the body.

OP posts:
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Zanzara · 05/04/2025 22:13

@MNHQ, Classics please!

Octavia64 · 05/04/2025 22:13

Can’t go under it, can’t go over it, can’t go through it, got to go around it!

(the bridge that is).

i wouldn’t fancy walking a giraffe, they’re big buggers. Saw some on safari and they’re actually quite scary looking.

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:12

ScottBakula · 05/04/2025 22:05

The next random conversation needs to be if zebras wore pj's would they be striped vertical like their fur ( and skin ) or for a change do they want it horizontal.

And giraffes, hmm I think at the top of the neck .

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You're my kind of person!

OP posts:
TranceNation · 05/04/2025 22:12

Love this! Toddler reins is my answer.

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:11

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:04

I would not credit giraffes with the sense to duck under bridges. You'd have to go round.

But what if you couldn't go round and HAD to go under?
You lot are raising points that even we hadn't considered, well done!

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JellyBabyToManual · 05/04/2025 22:10

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:07

Depends on the angle at which you are pulling, torque, friction, and force.

I wouldn't chance it.

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Fair enough. I think I’d go for the harness option. Although last night I dropped a giraffe and it doinked its head off the floor, so I probably wouldn’t be allowed to walk one. I may have been dreaming

ThDanielDay · 05/04/2025 22:10

Ffs what a pointless fucking debate, have you really nothing better to talk about.

Obviously you go with a harness

StartAnew · 05/04/2025 22:09

You could give the giraffe credit for managing its own neck . It’s had more practice than you. Collars go at the base of the neck.

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:09

Pandimoanymum · 05/04/2025 22:03

Well, they duck under tree branches and things like that, so i'm thinking they must have some awareness of what other "high-up things" they can get under?

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Another good point.

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Gundogday · 05/04/2025 22:08

Good question. The only fact I know about giraffes is that they have the same number of bones in their necks as humans do ( eight I think).

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:08

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:01

Obviously, if you put a collar on at the base it would just slide all the way up and come right off over the head, because the base is wider than the top.

Now that's the kind of logic we need, well done!

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stripeymonster · 05/04/2025 22:07

Obviously you tickle it's knees so it bends down - whilst you climb on it's back. If you've ever read ' White Giraffe' by Lauren St John you will know, you then go galloping about in the dark. Giraffes can leap over things, so bridges would be no problem!

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:07

JellyBabyToManual · 05/04/2025 22:03

Only if the giraffe did a headstand, surely?

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Depends on the angle at which you are pulling, torque, friction, and force.

I wouldn't chance it.

Pandimoanymum · 05/04/2025 22:06

ScottBakula · 05/04/2025 22:05

The next random conversation needs to be if zebras wore pj's would they be striped vertical like their fur ( and skin ) or for a change do they want it horizontal.

And giraffes, hmm I think at the top of the neck .

Show quote history

Vertical stripes. Every zebra knows horizontal stripes make them look fatter.

ScottBakula · 05/04/2025 22:05

Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 21:56

The subject of giraffes comes up a lot, due to a very funny family joke. However, I'm always starting random conversations of a similar nature, poor dh is used to it by now!

Show quote history

The next random conversation needs to be if zebras wore pj's would they be striped vertical like their fur ( and skin ) or for a change do they want it horizontal.

And giraffes, hmm I think at the top of the neck .

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:04

Fatloss · 05/04/2025 21:50

love the discussion- where would it wear a tie and would it be different to a scarf?
Seems by the head reins like a horse Wildlife sanctuary

Thought it would say - coulter the giraffe walks on a leash - not sure why he’s in Florida though

Edited

Hmm bit more like leading a horse, but it's at the top!

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Fatloss · 05/04/2025 22:04

JellyBabyToManual · 05/04/2025 22:03

Only if the giraffe did a headstand, surely?

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Now that’s an image 🤣

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:04

I would not credit giraffes with the sense to duck under bridges. You'd have to go round.

JellyBabyToManual · 05/04/2025 22:03

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:01

Obviously, if you put a collar on at the base it would just slide all the way up and come right off over the head, because the base is wider than the top.

Only if the giraffe did a headstand, surely?

Pandimoanymum · 05/04/2025 22:03

Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:00

But how many giraffes have seen a bridge and would know that you can duck your head, squeeze underneath it and come out the other side?

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Well, they duck under tree branches and things like that, so i'm thinking they must have some awareness of what other "high-up things" they can get under?

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 05/04/2025 22:02

By the bottom x

ArabellaScott · 05/04/2025 22:01

Obviously, if you put a collar on at the base it would just slide all the way up and come right off over the head, because the base is wider than the top.

Pandimoanymum · 05/04/2025 22:00

I voted YABU. I think it should have a harness or reins, like dogs and babies have. It would be much more comfortable!

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 22:00

HowManyDucks · 05/04/2025 21:41

I'd put it in a harness. You know, like the dog ones that go around the front two legs. When you guide (steer it) you'll move it's shoulders and the neck & head would follow. (Does that even make sense?!) I hope it would have the sense to duck if it came to a low bridge, you may just need to distract it with a leaf or something.

But how many giraffes have seen a bridge and would know that you can duck your head, squeeze underneath it and come out the other side?

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 21:58

TheDogsMother · 05/04/2025 21:41

Down at the bottom of the neck definitely. More chance that you could reach the end of the lead too.

But you'd just get a longer lead, surely? Mind you, don't think Pets at Home do 18 foot leads but there could be a gap in the market.

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