This snap of rival giraffes could score its photographer a healthy sum.
{"Image ImageDescription": "NEW YORK: It was neck and neck but in the end this photo of two giraffes was always going to be a strong contender for the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest. \nWhile these two appear to have had a falling-out and can barely stand to look at each other, their double-headed entry is going to be hard to beat. The competition consists of three categories \u2014 Nature, Cities and People \u2014 and the grand-prize winner will be awarded $13,200. \nThe world\u2019s tallest animals, giraffes have long been a source of fascination for humans. They were once known as \u201ccamelopards\u201d, derived from the Ancient Greek for camel and leopard, referring to their camel-like shape and leopard-like colouring.\nFully grown giraffes can measure more than five metres tall, with the tallest recorded male hitting 5.88m.\nTheir long necks are believed to have evolved through natural selection, as giraffes with longer necks had a competitive advantage in being able to feed from leaves on higher branches.\nMale giraffes compete for mates by \u201cnecking\u201d \u2014 fights in which they use their necks as weapons.\nThe population of giraffes in the wild is believed to have fallen by 40 per cent this century, from about 140,000 to about 80,000 across a few parts of Africa. Must credit Picture: National Geographic / Leinani Shak Yosaitis.", "Image XResolution": "546791/2000", "Image YResolution": "546791/2000", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Image Artist": "National Geographic / Leinani Shak Yosaitis.", "Image Copyright": "NO"}