When it comes to drinking water on the ground, the long neck of the giraffe is a handicap and forces it to a kind of large lateral leg stretching or uncomfortable genuflection, postures that make it vulnerable to predators. The shift of its center of gravity from front to center, following the swings of its neck and head when moving, explains the superior length of its anterior legs, which are very embarrassing to bend down. The giraffe could then drink lying down but it would take a minute to get up, far enough time to be attacked by a predator.