Giraffes have walked the earth for millions of years. They have adapted and evolved to become the tallest land mammals that humans have ever encountered. In the wild, they roam the plains of the African savanna. Their peaceful nature and distinctive app
earance make them a popular zoo exhibit. Their astonishing height is their most characteristic trait, but many other features of the giraffe make it an exceptionally fascinating animal.
1. Giraffes Are Hooved Animals Related to Okapi
The giraffe is the tallest living animal on the planet. They are large, hooved ruminants that eat grass and other plants. Giraffes are strictly herbivores, meaning they do not eat meat. They have two small horns on their head and a unique coat pattern. Their genus name is Giraffa, and is part of the family Giraffidae, which consists of giraffes and okapis. The okapi, another animal native to Africa, is the closest relative to the giraffe. Many do not know that there are four giraffe species and several subspecies.
2. Giraffes Primarily Reside in Africa
Giraffes live in the savanna and open woodlands of Africa. Most live in Eastern Africa, but some are found in Southern Africa. Giraffes are highly social animals and prefer to live in large herds. A giraffe herd usually consists of 15 to 20 female giraffes (cows) and their calves but can be as large as 50 members! Groups of giraffes are commonly called “towers.” They may be highly social, but they do not form close bonds with each other. Members of the herd will come and go as they please.
The young male calves eventually leave the herd to form a bachelor herd. This usually occurs when the young male is around 15 months old. Mature males (bulls) tend to live alone unless it’s mating season. Female calves commonly stay with the same herd but may leave to join another group when they are 18 months old.
3. A Giraffe’s Diet Consists of Trees and Flowers
Giraffes are herbivores, which means they eat a variety of grasses, leaves, buds, and shrubs. They love fruits and will eat acacia, wild apricot, and mimosa. Their height gives them an advantage when contending with other herbivores for food. Giraffes are large animals and can eat up to 75 pounds of food per day! Like most grazing animals, giraffes spend most of their day eating. They don’t require much water. A giraffe only drinks water every several days! This is because they get most of their water from the plants they eat.
Giraffes have another advantage over their competition. Their tongue can average 18 inches long and helps them reach the tallest branches. They can also wrap around the thorns of trees and shrubs, allowing them to get to leaves and flowers that other animals cannot. Have you ever noticed how dark a giraffe’s tongue is? Their tongues can be blue, black, or purple. It’s believed their tongues are darkly colored to protect them from sunburn when reaching for food.
4. Giraffes Are the Tallest Land Mammal
So, exactly how big is the tallest animal on the planet? Female giraffes can measure up to 14 feet tall and weigh 1,500 pounds. Males can stand 18 feet tall and weigh 3,000 pounds. To put that in perspective, a male giraffe can comfortably look into a second-story window! At six feet tall, a newborn calf may even be taller than you. An adult giraffe’s neck itself can be six feet long and weigh 600 pounds. Their legs also average about six feet long, allowing them to outrun many predators. No wonder these amazing animals spend 75% of their day eating!
The tallest giraffe on record is named Forest. At 18 feet, eight inches, the Guinness World Records recognized him as the tallest giraffe. He resides at the Australia Zoo in Queensland.
5. Giraffes Can Exceed 40mph
With 6-foot-long legs, you would be correct to assume that a giraffe can run fast. They can run up to 35 miles per hour and sprint almost 40 miles per hour! They have the longest stride of all land mammals. Their speed, stamina, and immense size are their primary defense against attackers. If they need to, they can deliver a deadly kick. Although they prefer to run, sometimes they need to stand and fight to protect their young or if they become trapped.
6. Common Giraffe Predators Include Lions and Hyenas
The giraffe’s most common natural threat is a recognizable apex predator: the lion. Leopards and hyenas are also predators to watch out for. A giraffe may not have sharp teeth or claws, but their incredible size and shape make them difficult to capture. For this reason, predators prefer to hunt giraffe calves, and only 50% of young giraffes survive past six months.
Human poachers are also a significant threat to giraffes. It’s only legal to hunt giraffes in three African countries. Poachers will kill giraffes and sell their teeth, hooves, and tails to be used in jewelry and medicines. Due to poaching, giraffes are becoming extinct in certain African countries, which puts African habitats at risk. Giraffes are a keystone species and are necessary for the health of the African ecosystem.
