Mammals · Giraffidae
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
Uganda Giraffe Endangered
Giraffes are the tallest mammal in the world, recognized instantly by their extremely long necks, long legs, and spotted coats. Each giraffe carries a uniquely patterned coat, and they inhabit savannas, grasslands and open woodlands across Africa — favouring country with plenty of acacia growth.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species: camelopardalis
Size
14–19 feet tall — the tallest living animal in the world. Males are taller and heavier than females.
Weight
1,750–2,800 lbs.
Habitat
Savannas, grasslands and open woodlands across Africa, especially where acacia grows.
Description
Extremely long neck and legs with a spotted coat. Each giraffe’s pattern is unique, though giraffes of the same region look broadly similar.
Diet
Herbivore — foliage, up to 140 lbs a day. Like cows, giraffes regurgitate and re-chew their food as cud.
Species
Nine recognized subspecies, distinguished largely by coat pattern and range.
Communication
A range of sounds including moos, hisses, roars and whistles.
Gestation
About 14 months.
Birth & Calf Size
Cows give birth standing, dropping the calf about 5 feet to the ground. Calves are 6 feet tall and 100–150 lbs at birth.
Sexually Mature
Between 3 and 5 years of age.
Life Span
An average of 25 years. Lions, hyenas and wild dogs all prey on giraffes.
Social Structure
Social animals travelling in herds of both sexes and all ages, with no apparent fixed hierarchy.
Did You Know?
A giraffe's tongue is 18 to 20 inches long — long enough to strip leaves from between an acacia's thorns.
Did You Know?
Despite their size, giraffes can run at 35 mph.
Did You Know?
Giraffes drink large quantities of water when it is available, which lets them survive extended periods in dry, arid country.
Giraffe Species
Angolan Giraffe
G. c. angolensis
Kordofan Giraffe
G. c. antiquiorum
Nubian Giraffe
G. c. camelopardalis
Southern / South African Giraffe
G. c. giraffa
Nigerian / West African Giraffe
G. c. peralta
Reticulated Giraffe
G. c. reticulata
Baringo Giraffe (Rothschild’s)
G. c. rothschildi
Thornicroft’s Giraffe
G. c. thornicrofti
Masai Giraffe
G. c. tippelskirchi
Giraffe in Foreign Languages
Afrikaanskameelperd
Arabiczaraafa
Catalangirafa
Czechžirafa
Danishgiraf
Dutchgiraf
Estoniankaelkirjak
Finnishkirahvi
Frenchgirafe
GermanGiraffe
Greekkamilopárdali
Hungarianzsiráf
Indonesianjerapah
Italiangiraffa
Japanesekirin
Koreangirin
Latincamelopardalis
Malayzirafah
Chinese (Mandarin)chángjǐnglù
Polishżyrafa
Portuguesegirafa
Russianžiráf
Somaligeri
Spanishjirafa
Swahilitwiga
Swedishgiraff
Turkishzürafa
Welshjiráff
