Identifying subspecies of giraffes

Data presented this past year indicate that there are at least six subspecies of giraffes, rather than the single one previously assumed. The distinctions were defined using mitochondrial DNA, but as the top image indicates, the differences may be evident from the animals' pelage patterns. By far the coolest name is the South Kenyan Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi. More details at the link, which includes information on distances of separation of the genetic patterns.