Identity & Taxonomy
Phylum: ChordataClass: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Suborder: Ruminantia
Family: Giraffidae
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| Giraffe |
Giraffes are the tallest of all land mammals. They are well known for their long necks, long legs, and spotted patterns. Giraffes have small "horns" or knobs on top of their heads that grow to be about five inches long. These knobs are used to protect the head in fights.
There is only 1 species of giraffe. However there are several different races or subspecies found in different parts of Africa including: Nigerian, Kordofan, Nubian, reticulated, Baringo, Masai, Thornicroft’s, Southern, and Angolan. The different subspecies have different markings. Giraffe are browsers – preferring to eat leaves and bark from the branches of trees. Giraffe feed mostly at sunrise and sunset.
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| Giraffe |
At a glance, Giraffe:
- STATUS: Lower risk- conservation dependent.
- SIZE: Male giraffes are larger than females. Males weigh between 2,400 and 3,000 pounds and stand up to 19 feet tall. Female giraffes weigh between 1,600 and 2,600 pounds and grow to be 16 feet tall.
- ORIGIN: Giraffe were once found throughout the semi-arid zones and the drier regions of the northern and southern savannah. They are no longer present in West Africa and the Southern Kalahari Desert..
- HABITAT: Giraffe spread out through the woodlands during the rainy season. They congregate along water courses during the dry season. Males often enter taller and denser vegetation.
- FOOD: Their long necks help giraffes eat leaves from tall trees, typically acacia trees. If they need to, giraffes can go for several days without water. Instead of drinking, giraffes stay hydrated by the moisture from leaves.
- SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: Giraffe are gregarious, living in loose open herds with no leader. Calves cluster together in creches. They watch carefully for predators (lions, hyenas) especially when protecting calves and they can see them from over 1 km away. Adults are largely invulnerable to predators due to size, great vision, speed and their kicking ability. Giraffe are nomadic and non-territorial.
- POPULATION: Giraffe populations are relatively stable
- LIFESPAN: Healthy giraffes live about 25 years in the wild.
