Why do male giraffes taste female urine? This curious behavior is more than just animal instinct—it’s a precise biological response tied to the flehmen reaction. When triggered by pheromones in the urine, this response helps male giraffes detect if a female is in estrus. It plays a major role in giraffe reproduction behaviors and highlights how animal pheromones and hormones guide mating. By detecting key hormones like estrone-3-glucuronide, male giraffes make strategic reproductive decisions. This article explores the science behind this behavior, the importance of pheromone detection, and how similar mechanisms are seen across the animal kingdom.