why do giraffes have long necks

Giraffes have long necks primarily to reach leaves high up in trees, giving them access to food that other herbivores cannot reach. This evolutionary trait reduces competition for food. Additionally, their long necks play a role in social behavior, especially in males competing for dominance, where longer necks provide an advantage in "necking" fights. Interestingly, female giraffes also have proportionally long necks, which might help them forage for nutritious food more effectively. This suggests multiple factors, including feeding and social competition, contributed to the evolution of their long necks.