Did you know that each giraffe has a unique pattern of spots? Scientists use these spot markings to identify individual giraffes and to learn about their social behavior — who they associate with — and ecology — what they eat, where they go, and how their population changes over time.
There are 6 different giraffes in the grid below. Can you find the matching pairs?
Did you know? The giraffes featured in this game are Masai giraffes. Masai giraffes live in Tanzania and Kenya, countries located in East Africa. Some Masai giraffes have jagged or star-shaped spots. Others have blocky spots. Some have light brown spots. Others have dark brown or reddish-brown spots.
Dig deeper: Scientists began using spot markings to identify individual giraffes in the 1960s. They did this by making drawings or taking photographs and comparing them with reference images. As you have discovered, this is a tricky job for a human! And sometimes we make mistakes.
In 2012, experts developed a computer program called WildID that can reliably match giraffe spot markings, with a little human help. This new tech makes it easier for scientists to analyze large datasets, learn more about giraffes, and determine how to protect them.
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