Do giraffes kiss each other?

Many animals, especially mammals, are affectionate towards each other. 

Giraffe kissing is the nuzzling of mouths and lips together. Their long tongues – at up to 45 centimetres (18 inches) long – can also be touching or locked around each other’s tongue. 

A giraffe has a narrow nose, a flexible upper lip, and a long, prehensile tongue that can wrap around branches – and other giraffe’s tongues.

A giraffe has sticky, thick saliva (spit) which covers Acacia tree thorns that it eats. Kissing can also produce a lot of saliva or slobber. 

Location of photographs: Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM