Final answer:
The statement that does not support giraffes being k-selected species is that newborn giraffes can walk and run shortly after birth, as the k-selection strategy is more focused on offspring quantity and parental care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is whether giraffes are k-selected species. K-selected species characteristics include large body size, long gestation periods, high parental care, and fewer offspring. Looking at the given statements, giraffes exhibit traits such as being tall and heavy at birth (a), mating at a later age (b), and rarely giving birth to twins (d), all of which support the conclusion that they are k-selected species. However, the fact that newborn giraffes can walk and run shortly after birth (statement c) does not directly relate to the k-selection strategy, which is more about the quantity and care of offspring than the immediate mobility skills of the newborns.
Therefore, the statement that does not support the conclusion that giraffes are k-selected species is:
c. Newborn giraffes are capable of coordinated walking within an hour of birth, and running within 24 hours of birth.