Evolutionary Designs

of African Animals
Danielle Lesso
College of Engineering
Pennsylvania State University

[mwanasimba]

During the dry season in the African

grasslands, fierce
competition exists among the animals for
water

[cnx.org]

On the African savannah, predators of

different sizes
and strategies compete for large herd
animals

This talk presents evolutionary designs of

the largest, tallest, and fastest land
animals on the planet

African Elephant

Cheetah
4

Giraffe

Modern elephants are the only remaining

species
of a vast order of animals

[www.nationalelephantcenter
.org]

[www.defenders.or
g]

Elephants have changed size and shape

over time

[www.smallkidshomework.c
om]
6

Using infrasonic sounds, elephants can

communicate
up to several kilometers apart
infraso
nic

Huma
n
heari
ng
range
[www.birds.cornell.e
du]
7

Infrasonic communication is made possible

by the elephants unique hyoid and trunk

[www.sciencdirect.com]

time

[www.birds.cornell.e

Elephants can communicate long distances

by using seismic vibrations

Elephants can also physically generate

seismic vibrations

[physiologyonline.physiology
.org]

10

Seismic signals are picked up in the

elephants wide feet

Fatty Cushion

11

[physiologyonline.physiolog

Elephants are masters of communication,

thanks to key evolutionary designs

12

[www.pixabay.com]

Reflection on the delivery

of this sections speakers

Giraffes are truly unique African mammals

[zoo.org]

[flickr.com]
15

[commons.wikimedia.org]

Evolutionary designs help giraffes survive

in the dangerous African savannah

16

[Fore, Himes, Thomas; Dr. Eric

The coat of the giraffe aids in camouflage

and parasite protection

benzen
e

p-cresol

17

[commons.wikimedia.
org]

[Fore, Himes,
Thomas]

Giraffes coats also play a role in

thermoregulation

[universalhealthcarela.com]

Sites of
thermoregul
ation
18

[commons.wikimedia
.org]

The circulatory system of giraffes

overcomes the challenges posed by the
animals height

[panzajpanal.pl]
19

Valves in the neck arteries keep giraffes

from passing out when they have to live
their lift heads quickly

[wiki.hicksvilleschools.
org]

[panzajpanal.pl]
20

Characteristic height and good eyesight

are also key to survival

Lef
t

21

Rig
ht

Bot
h

[Fore, Himes,

The giraffe is very capable of survival,

thanks to evolutionary designs

22

[commons.wikimedia.o

Reflection on the delivery

of this sections speakers

Cheetahs have evolved into

excellent hunters

[commons.wikimedia.org]

25

[en.wikipedia.org]

A cheetah is a great hunter because

of its speed, keen senses, and clever
strategies
Spee
d

Sense
s

[flickr.com]

[wildencounters.net
[wildencounters.net]

Strateg
ies

[pixabay.com]
26

A cheetah has an extremely flexible

spine, powering its long stride

[flickr.com]

[youtube.com]

27

The long tails of cheetahs allow them to

make quick turns, while their claws
provide traction

[art.com]

28

A cheetah relies on both its eyesight

and its hearing to locate and stalk
prey

[flickr.com]

29

[philtulga.com]

The cheetah uses strategy to

complement
its physical advantages during
hunting

[worldnomads.com]
30

There are drawbacks to being the

fastest
land animal

31

[www.wildencounters.n
et]

Even with the drawbacks, the

cheetah is a unique predator
because of its evolutionary design

32

[flickr.com]

In summary, evolutionary designs have

allowed elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs
to survive in extreme conditions

African Elephant

Cheetah
33

Giraffe

However, man poses challenges to these

species that evolutionary change might not
be able to overcome

[Pringle]

34

[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]

Reflection on the delivery

of this sections speakers