The BBC reports:
Scientists have worked out the anatomical secret to giraffes' long and spindly - but strong - legs.
Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) of London found that a supportive ligament is protected by a groove in the animals' lower leg bones.
This groove is much deeper in giraffes than in other animals, and the researchers say this helps the spindly-legged giants support their bodyweight.
The work was outlined at the Society for Experimental Biology meeting.
"Giraffes are heavy animals (about 1,000kg), but have unusually skinny limb bones for an animal of this size," explained Mr Christopher Basu, the PhD student who led the research.
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Secret of Giraffes' Long, Strong Skinny Legs
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(Score: 4, Informative) by frojack on Sunday July 06 2014, @08:32AM
The article appears to be talking about the Suspensory ligament [hoof-smart.com] which serves to support the fetlock (as in a horse by tying this joint to upper leg structures. Think if it as the horses Achilles tendon, (it's not, but it's sort of in the same place).
Horses hooves are significantly forward of the main axis of the leg bones, and this ligament builds a sort of suspension bridge to keep the fetlock from collapsing. (It's this suspension bridge that makes horses ride-able because this ligament absorbs a great deal of shock.)
You need only compare this offset hoof in a horse with the almost straight hoof to leg section on Giraffes. (see BBC link in main article). The Giraffe relies on straight leg-to-hoof bone structures to bear weight.
So if the Suspensory ligament is deeper in a groove, it is because it isn't doing the same job on a Giraffe as it is on a horse, and it need not build as much of a suspension bridge. The Giraffe walks on its bones, more like humans, than relying on a springy suspension like a horse.
So the ligament isn't what makes it possible for the Giraffe to stand on skinny legs, it's the strength of those leg bones that do that. The Tendon is relatively weaker, and hidden by bone, because its not bearing much weight or providing much spring, and the toes are almost directly under the lower leg bones.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.