Giraffe

Afrikaans name: Kameelperd

Giraffe

Photo © Steven Herbert

Giraffa camelopardais

Interesting facts about Giraffes

Standing up to 6 metres tall the Giraffe is the tallest land animal in the world. Males can weigh up to 1600 kg while females weigh a bit more than half of that. Females and juveniles have tufts of hair on their short 'horns'. Males have little or no hair on their 'horns'.

Although the giraffe is found across a large portion of Africa their distribution is not continuous which has caused a number of sub-species to emerge.

The nearest living relative of the Giraffe is the Okapi.

Giraffes are normally found in more open woodland or savanna habitats. Their height advantage allows them to browse from the tops of trees.

They can go for up to 3 days without drinking water. At night they tend to lie down.

Although giraffes are often seen in loose herds the make-up of those herds tends to change all the time and the animals do not form strong bonds with eachother.

In most cases a female Giraffe gives birth to a single calf.

Giraffes are well-known for fighting each other by swinging their powerful necks. This activity appears to be a way of establishing dominance between males. The duels may be quite relaxed or really intense.

Adults can live up to 25 years. They are sometimes hunted by Lions but their sheer size and powerful kicks help protect them.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - OK, Giraffe are big animals and it must be a bit awkward for them to do things that seem easy for smaller animals. They are able to lie down by tucking their legs under their bodies but they keep their heads up.

Below - Drinking is also a bit of a mission. They spread their front legs to lower their bodies while drinking. As can be seen in the picture below the rear view is not very glamorous!

Photo © Steven Herbert

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References and further reading

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 42

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 188

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 12

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 180

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 161

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 96

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 180

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 113

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 151

Kruger National Park, Visitor's Map - Author: - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 1

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 151

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 83

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 86

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 7

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 18

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 25

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 42

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 414

Sasol First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Year Published: 2003 - Page: 43

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 161

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 142

Wild Issue 29 - Author: - Year Published: 2014 - Page: 69

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 222