Smoot, E. Hornblower, G. Longbottom, W. Tallman, I. Neckerson, L.
The abstract: Giraffes are known for their long necks and their occasional aggressive neck fighting behavior. We use game theory to explore the strategic interactions of giraffes during these fights. Our analysis reveals that there is a tit-for-tat dynamic at play - one giraffe will stretch their neck higher than the other, only for the second giraffe to respond with an even higher stretch. However, we find that the equilibrium state of these interactions is for the giraffes to simply tire themselves out and quit the fight, admitting that neither can outstretch the other indefinitely. Our results shed light on the evolutionary pressures that have shaped the giraffe's unique physique and behavior.