Forget what you thought you knew ' there are actually 4 species of giraffes

Not all giraffes are the same species, it turns out.Based on anew study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, researchers concludedthat giraffes belong to four species, rather than just the single previouslyrecognized one (Giraffa camelopardalis):Southern giraffe (G. giraffa)Masai giraffe(G. tippelskirchi)Reticulated giraffe(G. reticulata)Northern giraffe(G. camelopardalis)For the study, the researchers lookedat 190 giraffes in Africa. Based on their genes, the researchers concluded thatthe giraffes likely becameseparate species somewhere between 1.25 and 2 million years ago.Apart from their genetic differences, the researchers also noted distinct physical traits among the animals. For example, asThe New York Times notes, Masai giraffes have darker spots and more jagged lines on their skin, while northern giraffes tend to have horn structures. The news does also hassome unintended consequences for zookeepers:All zoos across the world that have giraffes will have to change their labels, Axel Jenke, a geneticist at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and one of the authors of the study told The Times.SEE ALSO:These are the world's deadliest animalsDON'T MISS:RANKED: These are the healthiest salad greensJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: A Harvard psychologist's advice on how to argue when you know you're right
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