- Lifespan ±20 years
- Gestation 15 months with ±2 year intervals
- Temporary association (form loose, mixed or same sex herds)
- Herbivore
- Vulnerable
- A group of giraffes is called a tower
- Closest relative is the Okapi
- Have 7 neck vertebrae (just like humans)
- Gnaw on bones to supplement calcium intake
- No two giraffe have the same coat pattern
South African Giraffe (Giraffa giraffa giraffa)
The Southern giraffe towers over the plains of Southern Africa. They are unmistakable, thanks to their height and long necks. Their long necks help them reach leaves, fruit and flowers high up on acacia trees. Further, their 45cm tongue increases their height advantage when feeding. Also, the giraffe’s height allows them to keep a lookout for predators.
Males have developed an elaborate dominance display known as ‘necking’. They repeatedly swing their long necks to deliver powerful head-butts to their rival’s body and underbelly.
Newborn giraffes are given quite a welcome into the world. Female giraffes give birth standing up. Their young fall about two metres to the ground and they can stand within an hour of birth. Did you know…newborn giraffes are taller than most humans.
Both male and female giraffes have horns (not true horns) already at birth. These ossicones lie flat and are not attached to the skull—this is to avoid injury at birth. They only fuse with the skull later in life. Female ossicones are often thin and tufted with hair. While, males have thicker ossicones, which become bald on top as a result of frequent necking.
