Chuck Ripper (American, B. 1929) "Two Giraffes" Signed lower left. Original Gouache painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Buzzards soar high above the savannah, searching for carrion. Seeking prey, a cheetah scans the horizon. Lions nap in the afternoon sun, while Cape buffalo seek the coolness of area water holes. Many animals live in Africa, but none more unique than the giraffe. Often called "the animal built by committee," the giraffe looks as if it was put together from spare parts. As ungainly as it may appear, the giraffe is nevertheless one of the most widespread, successful herbivores of the African plains. Its extremely long neck and forelegs allow the giraffe to access foliage beyond the reach of other mammals. It has a tongue that can extend 18 in to gather food, and plate-sized hooves which it uses as weapons to defend its young. A kick from the front feet of a giraffe can quickly kill a lion. As humans can be identified from their fingerprints, so too, can the giraffe be distinguished by its coat -- each has its own unique pattern. While its senses of hearing and smell are highly developed, the giraffe's most acute sense is sight. Giraffes spend much of their time in the company of zebra, elands and wildebeests, with a mutual "lookout for danger" policy protecting all. With its keen eyesight and high vantage point, the giraffe is often the first to spot approaching danger. Usually only one calf is born to each cow. A giraffe calf at birth may stand six feet tall and weigh 130 pounds, nurses and runs within an hour of its birth. Image Size: 14.5 x 12.5 in. Overall Size: 18 x 16 in. Unframed. (B13702)