世界上最高的动物——长颈鹿

Giraffes are thetallest animals in the world. They can reach treetops with their long necks.

长颈鹿是世界上最高的动物。它们长长的脖子可以够到树梢上。

Giraffes love to eat the leaves of thorny2 acacia （刺槐，洋槐）trees. Their long, dark tongues weave（迂回穿行）past the thorns （棘刺）and pull off the tasty leaves.

长颈鹿喜欢吃刺槐的叶子，它们那长长的黑色舌头在棘刺间迂回穿行，把美味的叶子摘下来吃。

Giraffes look funny when they bend down to drink. They have to spread their front legs far apart.

当长颈鹿弯下身子喝水时，看上去很有趣。它们必须把两条前腿叉开很远的距离。

Giraffes live in the grasslands of Africa. It is hot and dry there.Many giraffes live in groups called herds（兽群）.

长颈鹿生活在非洲的草原上，那里气候炎热而干燥。许多长颈鹿在一起形成群体而生活。

A baby giraffe is called a calf（仔，幼兽）. When this calf was born, it stood as tall as a grown-up person。

幼小的长颈鹿被称为幼仔，幼仔出生后站起来就和成年人一样高。

Sometimes male giraffes fight over females. To hit another male, a giraffe swings3 its whole neck like a club4.

有时候雄性长颈鹿为了争夺雌性而打斗。为了击打另一只长颈鹿，它会把长长的脖子当作棍棒一般挥动起来。

注释：

1. giraffe n. [动]长颈鹿

2. thorny a. 棘刺状的，多刺的

3. swing vt. 挥舞，挥动

4. club n. 棍棒，棍棒状的东西