You probably think you are tall but until you realize that a baby giraffe may probably be taller than you, then you realize how short you are.
The giraffe is the tallest terrestrial mammal in the world, a true beauty amongst the animals that roam the savannahs of Africa.
The average height of a giraffe is between 4.3 metres to 5.8 metres with the adult female weighing about 800 kilograms and the male weighing 1,250 kilograms.
This beautiful animal was first referred to as a camel with leopard spots and was once seen as a pet for the rich and influential, even being paraded in the streets of Rome, with some of the giraffes in captivity gaining celebrity status.
Even more interesting is that the giraffe only …show more content…
The tail was used for making bracelets and flyswatters. This magnificent animal is a true beauty to watch, with various paintings and artefacts made.
Characteristics of the giraffe
The giraffe is a spectacle to watch, from how it walks lazily, its long legs and neck and its unique spots that are unique to each and every giraffe like similar to the fingerprints of every human being.
The scientific name of the giraffe is Giraffa camelopardalis, and they are found from central, eastern and southern Africa, living in the savannahs, grasslands and woodlands preferring the open lands where they find their food.
There were eleven species in existence but seven have since become extinct and now four species left are the Giraffa giraffa, Giraffa tippelskirchi, Giraffa reticulate and Giraffa camelopardalis.
Giraffes are social animals, living in herds consisted of either unrelated males or related females and their offspring. In these social groups consisting of males, the males have a hierarchy system which is arrived at through …show more content…
The heart is about two feet long.
Furthermore, the veins are specialized to prevent the flow of blood to the head when the giraffe lowers the head to drink water.
The average lifespan of a giraffe is about 25 years.
The Giraffes Diet
Living in savannahs and woodlands, the giraffes browse on the trees, preferring acacia trees. These trees are thorny however giraffes are adapted by having a long tongue, about 45 centimetres long.
The long tongue is able to manoeuvre around the thorns. The height of the giraffe is also advantageous because the giraffe is able to reach the top most parts of the tree where the leaves and thorns are soft and young.
They eat the young leaves and flowers, which provide them with important nutrients such as protein and calcium which are vital for its growth.
Moreover, giraffes also feed on available fruits as well as shrubs and grass, eating about 34 kilograms per day.
Giraffes only need little water due to the fact that their digestive systems are highly efficient, drinking water only once in a few