BEARDEN VIOLIN SHOP

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Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi

Description : The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world. Females are 4.3-4.6 m and males are 4.6-5.4 m. Giraffes range in weight from 550-1930kg. Two short, skin covered horns are permanent and present in both sexes. The giraffe also bears a medium horn on the forepart of the frontal bones, situated more or less between the eyes. The neck is 1.5 m or more in length with seven vertebrae, typical of most mammals. The vertebrae are elongated and are attached to one another by ball and socket joints, which makes the neck flexible. The heart is massive weighing 11.5 kg and pumping approximately 60 liters of blood per minute. The giraffe has a long, flexible, black tongue capable of extending up to 456mm which is used in plucking leaves from trees. The long and thin lips are prehensile and hairy. The eyes are large and dark brown and shaded by long eyelashes. The ears are large and the nostrils can be closed at will. The feet are large and heavy.

Distribution : Southern half of Kenya and Tanzania.

Habitat : The open savanna and wooded grasslands, avoiding the closed canopy forest.

Threats to Survival : The primary threat is habitat loss as a result of the expanding human population. Within the National Parks poaching is a serious threat. Jewelry and fly swatters are made from the tail hairs. Whips, sandals, shields and drums are made from the hide and strings for musical instruments, bowstrings and thread are made from the tendons of the leg muscles.

Courtesy of the Toronto Zoo

Alternative Comics panel from the ongoing HEY APATHY! mythology. A giant transformed man-beast bears exo-skeletal warriors as it rampages through the streets in a fit of Rabid annihilation. The mischievous yet often heroic Tengu catch scent of the creature and soar to action armed with mystically telepathic and extremely well practiced musical instruments. HEY APATHY! is an ongoing artistic investigation into the monstrous metropolis using street performances, comic books, fine art and animations to present an optimistic warning towards our future. In this pen and ink drawing the historical mythological ninja known as the Tengu have put down their swords in favour of using music to win their battles. In this day and age even the skilfully trained swordsmen in bird outfits have come to realize the excess of violence as being utterly unnecessary. Instead they have opted for a far more powerful technique, the art of sound!