Surprise! There are four giraffe species, not just one

The most basic thing you thought you knew about giraffes is wrong — in fact, there are four species of giraffe, not one, scientists announced today: the southern giraffe, the Masai giraffe, the reticulated giraffe, and the northern giraffe. Genetically, they’re as distinct as brown bears are from polar bears. Today’s division has important implications for conservation because some of these newly discovered species are in grave danger, with just a few thousand individuals remaining in the wild.

The unexpected findings, described in a study published today in the journal Current Biology, show how little we know about one of the world’s most iconic animals. They’re also a vivid illustration of how much we still have left to do to ensure...