Spotless Giraffes Spotted

On July 31, a baby giraffe was born at Brights Zoo in Tennessee. Zookeepers quickly noticed something unusual: The calf had no spots! Giraffes normally have pale fur covered in reddish-brown markings. Scientists believe spotlessness is caused by a rare mutation. The mutation changed the giraffe’s DNA—the molecule that carries hereditary information.

In the wild, spots help giraffes blend into their surroundings and stay cool in the African sun. Underneath each spot are sweat glands and blood vessels that release body heat through the skin. Scientists at Western Kentucky University will use a heat-sensing camera to confirm whether the newborn calf is still able to stay cool even without its spots. “We’re waiting anxiously to see how it turns out,” says zoo director David Bright.