The differentially patterned faces of the various giraffes (Giraffa spp.)

@simontonge @capracornelius @michalsloviak @paradoxornithidae

The facial profiles of all giraffes are spotted to some extent/degree, with individual variation.

However, each of the four species has its own subtle pattern, and there is additional, subspecific variation in one of the species.

In the northeastern species, namely Giraffa reticulata, the spotting is as close to uniform as in any type of giraffe. This is the least remarkable pattern found in any species or subspecies, and the one most satisfactorily explained as camouflage (https://animal.fandom.com/wiki/Reticulated_Giraffe?file=Giraffe1.jpg).

In the northern and western species, namely Giraffa camelopardalis, the uniformity of the spotting tends to be outweighed by a pale trend, depending largely on the subspecies.

The paleness is achieved mainly by an encroachment of the ground-colour (= matrix) on the spots, which themselves can be not only reduced in size but also faded.
At its extreme the result is an overall conspicuous pallor of the facial profile, which seems consistent with the fact that this species also has conspicuously pale lower legs.

In the eastern species, namely Giraffa tippelskirchi, the spotting tends not to be uniform. Instead, there is a separation between the spotted cheeks and a spotless patch of pale matrix just below and in front of the eye (e.g. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-giraffe-les-palenik.html and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-african-giraffe-giraffa-camelopardalis-peralta-close-up-of-head-and-48146742.html).

In the southern species, namely Giraffa giraffa, the same separation is technically present. However, it is smudged because of a tendency for the spotting to be faded and the ground-colour (= matrix) to be greyish instead of whitish.

The result is faded but not conspicuously pallid, except where a sheen-effect appears (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33856689).

These patterns are not sexually dimorphic, and can thus be illustrated by females and males interchangeably.

RETICULATA: uniform spotting

https://pixels.com/featured/giraffe-face-5363-karen-celella.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-samburu-game-reserve-kenya-reticulated-animal-images.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/reticulated-giraffe-feeding-dr-p-marazziscience-photo-library.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/giraffe-feeding-on-acacia-leaves-john-devriesscience-photo-library.html

CAMELOPARDALIS: uniform spotting, subject to variable degrees of pallor

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-portrait-of-a-giraffe-sheila-fitzgerald.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/close-up-of-a-rothschilds-giraffe-lake-panoramic-images.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/5-baringo-giraffe-george-atsametakis.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/giraffe-tongue-melinda-patoff.html
https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-vettw
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/giraffe-licking-its-nose-geri-lavrov.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_92123799_giraffe-s-side-of-face-close-up.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/giraffe-eating-leaves-krista-russell.html

subspecies peralta

https://www.alamy.com/koure-niger-close-up-of-giraffes-head-giraffa-camelopardalis-peralta-image439986286.html
https://www.alamy.com/west-african-giraffe-niger-giraffe-nigerian-giraffe-giraffa-camelopardalis-image61565864.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-west-african-giraffe-niger-giraffe-nigerian-giraffe-giraffa-camelopardalis-78265861.html

HYBRID reticulata X camelopardalis:

https://wildlifereferencephotos.com/media.details.php?mediaID=47677
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/2-giraffe-feeding-on-green-leaves-of-lettuce-alex-grichenko.html

TIPPELSKIRCHI: separation below eye