Giraffes

Name: Giraffa camelopardalis

Mass: 4,000 pounds

Height: 16 to 19 feet

Life span: 25 years

Habitat: African savannah, scrub & open acacia woodlands south of the Sahara

Status: The population is currently stable

The word "giraffe" comes from an Arabic word, "zirafah" which means "the tallest of them all". The giraffe's scientific name, Giraffa (one who walks swiftly) camelopardalis (Latin for cameleopard). When they were first brought to Rome in 46 B.C., they were thought to be as big as a camel, with the spots of a leopard. Although we've long since learned the giraffe is not a combination of these animals, the name remains. However the giraffe is related to the the okapi, which is confined to a small region within the Congo Basin and was only discovered early this century.

Giraffes have been heavily hunted by poachers for their hair, and thick leathery hide. Also they are threatened by farmers who encroach their natural habitat. Special reserves have been created in Africa to try to save the giraffe and other wild animals. But unfortunately this separation has genetically isolated these giraffes from other populations (inbreeding).

An unmistakable animal, it has a comparatively short body and very long legs and neck. The neck, despite its length, contains only the seven vertebrae just like humans. They have 32 teeth, a tufted tail, and a short mane on their neck. The giraffe is the tallest of all animals in the world. The male giraffe can grow to be 17 to 19 feet (height to top of head) and weigh 1,100 to 1,915 kg (2,420-4,215 lbs). The female giraffe is half a meter (1.5 ft) shorter and can grow to be 16 or 17 feet and weigh 700 to 1,181 kg (1,540-2600 lb.). Newborns average 1.8 m (6 ft.) and weigh 130 lbs.

A giraffes spots are like their fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spot pattern. They have chestnut brown blotches against a buff background, these markings help the giraffe to blend with tree branches. As giraffes age their color grows darker brown.

Adult giraffes are no match for predators but their calves are; 50 to 75% of calves fall prey to lions, leopards and spotted hyenas in the first few months of life. A mother will stand over and defend her calf against predators. A giraffe has a powerful kick, with their strong legs and hooves it can stun or kill a predator. In addition to this giraffes travel with other herds of herbivores such as zebra, wildebeest, and antelope. This makes it harder for a predator to single out individuals.

Giraffes have two to four short, skin covered horns called ossicones, which are found on both sexes. Females have smaller ossicones, while males have less hair on theirs. It is believed that these ossicones are remnants of antlers that the giraffes had thousands of years ago (after all they are closely related to deer) They never use their ossicones to fight, but males do use theirs in games with peers.

The giraffe has several special adaptations in order to survive. Its long legs enable it to run up to 37 mph (60 kmph). The giraffe’s long neck gives it the advantage of excellent vision, smelling and hearing.

The idea that giraffes are mute is a myth. Though normally silent, giraffes grunt, sneeze, bleat, snore, cough, and even make a very-low mooing sound. When upset, they snort and growl. Another myth about giraffes is that they don’t lay down to sleep, in fact they do but only for a few minutes. They usually rest standing up, flicking their ears and keeping one eye open, always alert of what is going on. Giraffes only sleep deeply for a few minutes at a time. Another myth about giraffes is that its front legs are longer than its hind legs. In fact the length of both front and hind is about the same (the foreleg is only 1/10th longer than the hind). It is the high shoulders which gives the false impression of a difference in limb length.

Giraffes natively live only in the African savannah, in scrub, and open acacia woodlands south of the Sahara. Giraffe are still common in East and South Africa, although their numbers in West Africa have been damaged by poaching. The discovery of fossils tell us that giraffes used to occupy many parts of Europe and Asia.

Like a cow the giraffe has a 4 chamber stomach. Giraffes drink water when it is available but can go weeks without it; relying on the morning dew and the water contained in their food. In order to reach the ground or to drink, the giraffe must bend or spread its forelegs. The same is true of the okapi, disproving the idea that the giraffe's extra long neck and legs are the reason.

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