Giraffes (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3)

Giraffes have been a source of interest for thousands of years; some were even kept as pets in Egypt. As the tallest animals on Earth - some can be nineteen feet tall - giraffes are distinct, and their anatomy makes them only more interesting. For example, they have the same number of neck bones that humans do. Their long necks allow them to reach leaves in tall trees. They are also able to camoflauge, and the same spots that help them blend in with trees are as unique as fingerprints and vary by species. Today, many girafies live in national parks and other protected areas.