GIRAFFE WEEVIL (TRACHELOPHORUS GIRAFFE):
The Giraffe Weevil which is scientifically known as the Trachelophorus giraffe, can only be found on the Island of Madagascar, which is located off the eastern coast of Africa. These animals are distinctly known for their abnormally long necks. The giraffe weevils are sexually dimorphic, which means that there is a great phenotypic difference between the two genders. The male neck (as shown in the picture to the left) is three times the size of the female's neck. The males have their long necks for two important reasons. Fighting and nest building, which ironically both happen during mating season. The males will fight other male giraffe weevils to "impress" the female. As you would expect, the male that wins the fight will get to reproduce with the female. When the time comes that the giraffe weevil will need to make a home for their children, the Giraffe Weevil will use their neck to roll up part of a leaf for the female's egg. The female will then lay a single egg inside of the rolled up leaf, and then it will cut the roll off from the rest of the leaf. Then when the larvae hatches, it will be able to eat the leaf to give it enough energy to start its life.
|
|
Female Giraffe Weevil Male Giraffe Weevil |
Rolled up Nest for the Giraffe Weevil's egg
|
