How Do Giraffes Breathe?

Breathe In

Giraffes have powerful lungs capable of moving air through their long necks. Without strong lungs, giraffes would never be able to move air in and out of their bodies. Because of their sheer size and unique build, giraffes have lungs that are about eight times the size of a human's. Even though their lungs are larger, giraffes breathe at a much slower rate than we do in order to protect their long neck from windburn.

Use the Oxygen

Once a giraffe has taken in a breath of fresh air and filled his lungs, his body needs to be able to use the oxygen. A giraffe has one of the largest hearts in the animal kingdom, large enough to transport oxygen throughout his entire body. The heart moves oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the giraffe's body.

Breathe Out

After the oxygen has been removed from the air in the giraffe's lungs, he needs to expel this dead air and replace it with fresh air. The giraffe's strong lungs forcefully move the air out of its lungs and up its long neck so it can be replaced by fresh, oxygen-filled air.