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Giraffe Gifts

Giraffes usually inhabit savannas, grasslands, or open woodlands. However, when food is scarce they will venture into areas with denser vegetation. They prefer areas with plenty of acacia growth. They will drink large quantities of water when available, which enables them to live for extended periods in dry, arid areas.


Giraffe Facts

Giraffes

Scientific name of a giraffe is “camelorpardalis”. Ancient Romans and Greeks thought giraffes came from camels and leopards hence their genus name.

The word giraffe actually comes from the Arabic word Xirapha which means “one who walks very fast”. Giraffes can run 35 mph over short distances, or Giraffes can walk 10 mph over a long distance.

Giraffes are the tallest mammals on land. A giraffes legs are approximately 6 feet long. Male Giraffes reach 16-18 feet in height while female Giraffes are 14-16 feet. Male Giraffes weigh up to 2000 lbs.

A Giraffe’s coat is covered with a pattern of spots that is unique to each giraffe. A giraffes age can be calculated from it’s sports. Darker spots indicate an older giraffe. A giraffes tongue is black.

Giraffes are vegetarians. Like cows giraffes regurgitate their food and chew it as cud. Giraffes use their long tongues to feed on treetop tree leaves. A giraffes tongue is about 21 inches long. Giraffes spend 16-20 hours a day feeding. Giraffes sleep very little only 5- 30 minutes in a 24 hour period.

The Giraffes height is an advantage in watching for predators they also have excellent vision allowing them to see great distances. Surprisingly despite the length of a giraffe’s neck it has the same number of cervical vertebrae as a human. It is difficult for giraffes to drink as they need to spread their front legs wide as they are so tall. Giraffes only drink once every several days.

Male Giraffes are known as bulls, while females are known as cows and babies are calves. The gestation of giraffes is 15 months. Female Giraffes give birth standing up. Newborn giraffes are approximately 6 feet tall and weigh approximately 150lbs. Giraffes form a day care with one staying with the young while the others forage for food.

Giraffes live on open grasslands, they cluster in herds of approximately 6-7. Male giraffes (or bulls) will sometimes fight butting their heads and long necks together to show domination. A fight usually ends when one giraffe walks away.

The average life expectancy of a giraffe is 25 years.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net

Giraffe Gifts

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

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