Giraffe

(Giraffa camelopardalis)

STATUS
Vulnerable

SIZE
Height: 4–6m
Weight: average of 1,600kg for males and 830kg for females

AGE
In captivity a giraffe lives for about 28 years in the wild a giraffe lives for about 25 years.

HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION
The giraffe’s scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands

WHAT THEY EAT
Giraffes eat grass, fruit and tree leaves and twigs, the favourite giraffe food is the thorny acacia tree.

Giraffes are the world’s tallest animal. Their first experience of life is a two metre drop to the ground, because female giraffes give birth standing up.

Animal Facts

  • An adult giraffe’s heart is 2 feet long and weighs about 20 pounds.
  • A Giraffe’s tongue is almost 2 feet long.
  • Giraffes spread their front legs in order to reach the water on ground level to drink—their tall necks are shorter than their legs.
  • Because of their lanky legs, predators sometimes see giraffes as easy prey. Their legs are very powerful, however, and are capable of delivering a kick that can decapitate an African lion.
  • Like human fingerprints, each giraffe marking is like no other one.
  • A Giraffes’ mouth has a hard inner surface making it easy to eat thorny plants.
  • Although giraffes normally move at a very leisurely pace, they can run at a speed of 34 miles (55km) per hour. When running fast, the back legs cross the front legs
  • Giraffes sleep for between 20 minutes to 2 hours a day. Even when they sleep for the longer period, they do so in 20-minute naps.

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens