Giraffes Get Hit By Lightning More Than Humans. Here's Why

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20 Apr 2024

According to an IFLScience report, giraffes can act as lightning rods, facing higher mortality rates from strikes than humans


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Reports document giraffes killed by lightning, with incidents even in front of Disney World


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Lightning fatalities in giraffes are 30 times more common than in humans due to exposure


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Rockwood Conservation in South Africa reported giraffes struck by lightning, indicating their vulnerability


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Lightning tends to target tall objects, making giraffes particularly susceptible to fatal strikes


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Behavioural adaptations may mitigate risk, such as seeking shelter or moving to dense vegetation


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Giraffes with four legs face increased vulnerability to ground current after lightning strikes


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Ground current poses a significant threat, causing numerous deaths in both humans and animals


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Instances include 550 sheep in Georgia (2021) and 323 reindeer in Norway (2016)


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Giraffes' susceptibility to both direct strikes and ground current adds to their vulnerability during storms


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