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Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, and are unmistakable for their long legs and neck. They are largest of ruminant animals (even-toed hoofed mammals). They are unable to drink or feed at ground level without bending or straddling the forelegs, but have the perfect equipment to reach leaves high in the trees, up to 19 feet from the
ground.
During rainy season, giraffes range widely, browsing mainly deciduous plants; in the dry season, they concentrate on evergreen trees growing along watercourses. Giraffes have what is known as a prehensile tongue (adapting for seizing and grasping, especially wrapping around), which is used as a tool for browsing for food. They are herbivores, feeding mainly on leaves from acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees. They spend about 16 to 20 hours eating each day. They drink every few days when water is available.
While all giraffes have a blotchy coat-color pattern, it varies with the subspecies. The pattern is unique to each individual animal, like a fingerprint is for us. Both genders have horns, but the males’ are longer, and males also grow a single medial horn on the forehead, and a bump over each eye socket and behind each ear. The subspecies are distinguished by color (pale yellow to black), size and shape of blotches against white, orange or buff colored background. Reticulated giraffes are the most striking with rich chestnut patches separated by narrow white lines. These are generally found in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The Masai giraffes have more irregular brown splotches, almost liked jagged leaves, against a buff or ochreous (earth tone)background. These are generally found in southern Kenya and Tanzania.
The males are taller than the females—up to two feet taller—reaching on average 18 feet in height, and males weigh more, up to 1,000 pounds more! The average lifespan in the wild is up to 25 years. The mating system for giraffes is polygamous. Females give birth every 20 to 23 months, usually during the dry season. Females and young live in maternal herds, while males separate from their mothers in their third year to associate with bachelor herds, gradually becoming solitary with maturity. Senior bulls (the darkest males with the most bumps on their heads) monopolize reproduction. Beginning in adolescence, males test one another’s fighting potential in regular “necking” contests, pushing against each other and exchanging blows of the head aimed at the opponent’s torso or neck. Real fights occur only when the established rank order is challenged. When startled or for defense, the giraffe can deliver powerful kicks with both fore and hind legs.
S. Brown, July 2001, Niamey
Interesting facts about giraffes
- They can run up to 56 km/hour (35 mph).
- Giraffes have only seven vertebrae in their necks (same as humans).
- If necessary, they can go without water for weeks or months at a time.
- Besides its l-o-n-g neck, a giraffe also has a very long, dark tongue, which helps it to reach high up into the trees to eat the leaves. Its tongue can stretch out to the length of two cereal boxes laid end to end.
Kouré giraffes
In Niger, we have a small heard of an endangered species of giraffes living near Niamey. They roam freely near the bush village of Kouré.
Activities
- Giraffe color page (pdf document)
- Stand up giraffe pattern (pdf document)
- The shape of a giraffe (pdf document)
- Giraffe maze (pdf document)
- Finish the picture (pdf document)
For those who want to know more
Giraffe photo gallery
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