Short-necked

Describing an animal, particularly a bird or mammal, that has a neck of comparatively small length. This physical characteristic can impact the animal's feeding habits, posture, and overall mobility. The brevity of the neck might be a result of evolutionary adaptation to a specific environment or diet. The term emphasizes a deviation from a typical or expected neck length, highlighting the relatively compressed or abbreviated nature of the neck compared to other species or individuals within the same species. The structure implies limitations in the range of motion for the head and may influence how the animal interacts with its surroundings, affecting its ability to reach for food or to visually scan its environment.

Short-necked meaning with examples

• The short-necked goose awkwardly pecked at the grass, its restricted neck movement preventing it from reaching the juicier blades further away. This characteristic distinguished it from the long-necked swans gracefully grazing nearby. The limited neck length clearly impacted its foraging strategy and feeding efficiency, leaving the goose with fewer available options.
• Paleontologists studying the fossil remains of a Plesiosaur discovered a short-necked variety, unlike many of its contemporaries that had exceptionally long necks. This finding challenged previous assumptions about Plesiosaur neck evolution and led to further research on their swimming techniques and hunting strategies within the ancient seas. The shorter neck structure likely influenced its maneuverability in water.
• Due to a genetic anomaly, the unusual short-necked giraffe struggled to reach the higher branches of the acacia trees, forcing it to compete with other grazers for lower-lying foliage. This competitive disadvantage put it at risk of starvation. This was quite a problem compared to the taller giraffes! The genetic disorder affected his ability to eat.
• During his observations in the local zoo, the naturalist found that the short-necked emu had developed a novel technique for reaching food, tilting its entire body to compensate for its limited neck extension. This innovative adaptation showed the animals' ability to adjust to their physical limitations. Even with these limitations the emu adapted.