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Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
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 Appearance
The giraffe, with its long legs
and its amazingly long neck, when erect stands up
to 3.3 m (11 ft) at the shoulder and nearly 6 m (19
1/2 ft) at the crown. Its characteristic coloration
of a light body and irregular dark spots is very variable,
both geographically and between individuals; some
animals may be almost white or black, or even unspotted.
Both male and female have skin-covered horns, one
pair on the forehead and sometimes a smaller pair
farther back, on the crown. Some animals have yet
another small horn, or bump, between these pairs.
The tail ends in a tuft of long hairs. Body: 3 - 4
m (9 3/4 - 13 ft), tail: 90 cm - 1.1 m (35 1/2 in
- 3 1/2 ft) |
Description
Gregarious animals, giraffes
usually live in troops of up to 6, sometimes 12, and
may occasionally gather in larger herds. A troop consists
of females and their offspring, led by a male. Males
fight for possession of females, wrestling with their
heads and necks. At midday, giraffes rest in shade
and at night lie down for a couple of hours or rest
standing. |
Regions
Africa, south of the Sahara
in savana |
Diet
The troop ambles around its
territory, feeding mostly in the early morning and
afternoon on the foliage, buds and fruits on the top
of acacia and thorn trees. The giraffes may also eat
grass, plants and grain crops. |
Breeding
Females give birth to a single
offspring, rarely twins, after a gestation of over
a year -- usually 400 to 468 days. Births invariably
occur at first light. The young is suckled for 6 to
12 months and continues to grow for 10 years. |
 Status
Non-threatened |
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