Editing Giraffe (section)

===Head===
[[File:Giraffa camelopardalis head (Profil).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Closeup photograph of a giraffe head|Closeup of the head of a [[northern giraffe]]]]
Both sexes have prominent horn-like structures called [[ossicone]]s, which can reach {{cvt|13.5|cm}}. They are formed from [[Ossification|ossified]] [[cartilage]], covered in skin, and fused to the [[skull]] at the [[parietal bone]]s.<ref name=estes/><ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|95–97}} Being [[Blood vessel|vascular]]ised, the ossicones may have a role in [[thermoregulation]],<ref name=Mitchell2004/> and are used in combat between males.<ref name="sim2010"/> Appearance is a reliable guide to the sex or age of a giraffe: the ossicones of females and young are thin and display tufts of hair on top, whereas those of adult males tend to be bald and knobbed on top.<ref name=estes/> A lump, which is more prominent in males, emerges in the middle of the skull.<ref name=Dagg1971/> Males develop [[calcium]] deposits that form bumps on their skulls as they age.<ref name="Prothero 2003"/> Multiple [[Sinus (anatomy)|sinuses]] lighten a giraffe's skull.<ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|103}} However, as males age, their skulls become heavier and more club-like, helping them become more dominant in combat.<ref name=estes/> The [[occipital condyles]] at the bottom of the skull allow the animal to tip its head over 90 degrees and grab food on the branches directly above them with the tongue.<ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|103, 110}}<ref name=Dagg1971/>

With eyes located on the sides of the head, the giraffe has a broad [[Field of view|visual field]] from its great height.<ref name=Dagg2014>{{cite book|author=Dagg, A. I.|year=2014|title=Giraffe: Biology, Behaviour, and Conservation|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-1107610170}}</ref>{{rp|85, 102}} Compared to other [[ungulate]]s, giraffe vision is more [[binocular vision|binocular]] and the eyes are larger with a greater [[retina]]l surface area.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mitchell|first1=G.|last2=Roberts|first2=D. G.|last3=van Sittert |first3=S. J.|last4=Skinner|first4=J. D.|year=2013|title=Orbit orientation and eye morphometrics in giraffes (''Giraffa camelopardalis'') |journal=[[African Zoology]] |volume=48|issue=2|pages=333–339 |doi=10.1080/15627020.2013.11407600 |hdl=2263/37109 |s2cid=219292664 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> Giraffes may see in colour,<ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|85}} and their senses of hearing and [[olfaction|smell]] are sharp.<ref name="Prothero 2003"/> The ears are movable.<ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|95}} The nostrils are slit-shaped, possibly to withstand blowing sand.<ref>{{cite book|author=Peterson, D.|year=2013 |title=Giraffe Reflections |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |page=30 |isbn=978-0520266858}}</ref> The giraffe's [[tongue]] is about {{cvt|45|cm}} long. It is black, perhaps to protect against sunburn, and can [[prehensile|grasp]] foliage and delicately pick off leaves.<ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|109–110}} The upper lip is flexible and hairy to protect against sharp prickles.<ref name="Dagg1971"/> The upper jaw has a hard [[palate]] instead of front teeth. The [[Molar (tooth)|molar]]s and [[premolar]]s are wide with low [[Crown (tooth)|crowns]] on the surface.<ref name=Dagg2014/>{{rp|106}}