The giraffe is a mammal that belongs to the order Artiodactyla, family Giraffidae. Latin name Giraffa camelopardalis. Of the hired animal species, it is the tallest. There are several types of giraffes that live in different places and climatic zones, which determines how much a giraffe weighs and its color.

The height of giraffes reaches up to 5.7 m, of which 3.3 m is from the body to the shoulders, 2.4 m is from the neck to the horns. Males are larger than females, which are smaller on average by 1 m. Males weigh 1500-1900 kg, females - up to 1200. A newborn cub weighs 50-55 kg, height is 2 m. Life expectancy - 25 years in a zoo, 10-15 years in the wild.

Due to high growth, the load on the heart muscle and vascular system of the animal increases. Giraffes have a strong heart, reaching a weight of up to 12 kg. In 1 minute it is capable of moving up to 60 liters of blood, the pressure on the walls of blood vessels is 3 times higher than the human norm.

They have thick skin covered with a coat of short hairs. Lengthening of the fur is noticeable only on the mane, back, forehead and tail brush. The main color is little noticeable, most of the body is covered with spots. The coloring of the coat is different for each species, depending on the area. The spots vary in size, color, location on the body, and number. Shades of spots range from yellow to black. The coat pattern obtained during intrauterine development remains unchanged throughout life. Small spots on the long neck and legs, absent on the ventral abdomen and inner legs.

The giraffe's legs are thin but strong, the front ones are longer than the back ones. The long neck also consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, the size of which is longer than usual. The back is sloping, ending in a thin long tail 100 cm. The tip of the tail in the shape of a brush is a necessary device for protection against insects. On the head there are 2 horns of 15 cm each with tassels at the end. They are formed from bone tissue covered with skin and hair; in females they are thinner than in males. Another bony growth is located in the middle of the forehead, which is not a horn.

The tongue of giraffes is black, large and long, which helps with feeding, and the muzzle is long and elongated. Reaches a length of up to 45 cm - this is necessary for obtaining food. The giraffe feeds on leaves from trees, which it grabs from the upper branches using its tongue.

Types of giraffes

Only with the help of genetic analysis of almost 200 giraffes from different groups was it possible to establish that there are 4 separate species of these mammals. Previously it was believed that there was 1 species and 9 different subspecies. The variety depends on the location; the main habitat is Africa. Each region has a specific subspecies, there are 9 subspecies in total.

1. Nubian giraffe. The habitat is in eastern Sudan and western Ethiopia. The coat color is dark, with brown spots edged with white lines. Large bony growth on the forehead.
2. Rothschild's giraffe or Ugandan giraffe lives in Uganda. It has large brown spots with white stripes between them.
3. Somali or reticulated giraffe. Habitat: northern Kenya and southern Somalia. This subspecies is distinguished by its beautiful color, with bright brown-red spots of medium size. Each spot ends in a sharp white edge. The bone growth in females is completely absent.
4. The Angolan giraffe inhabits the countries of Namibia and Botswana. The wool is colored with large elongated spots. The origin of this subspecies occurred in Angola, but now the population in the country has been destroyed.
5. Kordofan giraffe from the western regions of Sudan and Central Africa. A special feature is the unevenly located spots, which are more numerous in the lower part of the legs and joints.
6. The Masai giraffe is a species that has dark spots only on its legs and has an unusual star-like shape.
7. South African giraffe from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. The coat color is golden in color, with dark round spots.
8. Thorneycroft's giraffe - lives in Zambia. The coat is light in color with dark spots of irregular shape with sharp corners.
9. The West African giraffe is a small subspecies that is protected from extinction. All surviving individuals number 175 giraffes, living only in the state of Chad.

The height of each giraffe subspecies differs slightly from the others.

Previously, varieties were taken as independent species. This was led by the facts of the sharp difference in the spots and growth of giraffes. Different color patterns exist even among the same subspecies and family. There is a theory that suggests the existence of giraffes with uniform coat color without spots.

Where do giraffes live?

Giraffes as a separate species appeared in Central Asia, then spread to the countries of Africa and Europe. The distribution range of giraffes is from 5 to 654 km² and depends on the source of water and food. The permanent habitat of giraffes is the African continent.

Territorially distributed from the southern lands of the Sahara Desert to the eastern Transvaal and northern Botswana. Animals used to live in West Africa, but all species have disappeared. In this part, giraffes live in the Niger Republic thanks to the restored population from artificial reserves.

An arid climate is satisfactory for this group of mammals. Populations are found in savannas, grasslands and sparse forests. For the place where the herd is formed, areas with a large number of acacias suitable for their feeding are selected. Giraffes are not very dependent on the source of water, since they drink little. Males leave the herd in search of deciduous habitats.

Now favorable conditions are being created for giraffes in nature reserves in Australia, Europe, Asia, and America.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Giraffes lead a social lifestyle and live in large open herds. In one herd there are on average 10-20 individuals, the maximum recorded number of inhabitants reached 70 animals. A giraffe can join or leave the herd voluntarily, at its own discretion. These mammals are considered to be very fast, reaching speeds of up to 60 km per hour and covering long distances.

Giraffes rest at night in a standing position, taking a certain position. The animal lowers its head onto its hind leg, and its neck takes the shape of a small arch. The supine position during sleep is rarely accepted. The eyes are not completely closed, slightly open, and the ears twitch normally. They have the minimum need for sleep duration of all mammals - about 2 hours per day.

To establish their superiority in the pack, fights are organized. Adult males participate in the fight. Sparring begins with walking next to each other, horizontal necks pointing forward. Then the necks are intertwined, the heads are leaned close to each other - this is necessary to assess the strength of the enemy. After the assessment, a blow to the neck and head is applied. The impact is severe and some giraffes are knocked down and severely injured.

Giraffes are ruminant mammals with a four-chambered stomach and feed on plant matter. Most of the day - up to 20 o'clock - is spent eating. The main diet consists of the following products:

• tree leaves;
• flowers;
• seeds;
• fruits.

They obtain minerals from the soil of the savannah. Among the trees that are used are the leaves of acacia senegalese, mimosa pudica, combretum parviflora, and apricots. During long journeys, they can remain for a long time without eating, replacing it with chewing gum. Preference is given to acacia leaves. To tear off leaves, the giraffe pulls up and bends a tree branch, grabbing it with its mouth, and tears off the leaves with its lips. The presence of thorns does not prevent acacia from being eaten; the giraffe's molars are capable of grinding them in the process of absorption along with the leaves. Females are selective in choosing trees; they prefer high-calorie leaves, obtaining them from the lower branches.

An adult animal consumes 65 kg of food per day. In a critical situation during drought, a giraffe needs to reduce its diet to 7 kg of food per day to survive. They can consume up to 35 liters of liquid at one time.

Reproduction

This species is polygamous. During the mating season, the male begins to court the female. It starts with analyzing the smell of urine. After assessing the female, the male rubs his head against her rump, then lays his head on his back. The next stage of courtship is licking the tail of the chosen one. The male then throws his front paw over her back. If the female has responded positively to the courtship, she raises her tail to mate. During the rainy season, offspring are conceived. Gestation lasts 450 days on average.

Females give birth during the dry season from May to August. Giraffes reproduce every 20-30 months. Delivery begins in a standing position or while moving. A baby giraffe is called a calf and is born 2 m tall. After 15 minutes, the newborn baby is already sucking mother's milk and gradually stands on its feet. At first, for 7-10 days, the foal hides during the day and at night. The close stay of a female cub with its mother lasts up to 12-16 months. Males stay with their mother for 2 months less. Sexual maturity occurs in males at 4-5 years of age; they begin to reproduce at 7 years of age upon reaching sexual maturity. Young females mature earlier - at 3-4 years, but begin to reproduce later.

At birth, a giraffe does not have horns, instead there is only cartilage. As the calf grows, the cartilage ossifies, taking the shape of horns. The black fur covering the forehead also disappears.

In a herd, females are social. They organize collective supervision of their common cubs. After the foal is weaned from its mother after 4 weeks, one female looks after the cubs of the entire herd during the day, which is periodically replaced. The remaining females are free and can travel long distances, and all children remain under supervision and protection from wild animals. The cubs return at night to feed.

Role in the ecosystem

Giraffes are of great importance in the planet's ecosystem. Many species are protected by conservation organizations. Interaction also occurs with other animals and birds. Buff starlings have mutually beneficial relationships with large mammals. They clean the back and neck of giraffes from ticks and insects with their beaks. At the same time, the birds receive the necessary nutrients.

Relationships with humans are not vital to animal populations. Giraffes in nature reserves and zoos, with the necessary care, live longer than in the wild. Poachers hunted giraffes for their meat, skin, and tails. Household items were made from the skin: whips, reins, belts, upholstery. The ancient Greeks and Romans staged displays of these animals in the Colosseums to entertain the public. The population of these mammals is protected in eastern and southern Africa, but has declined in the western regions of the continent. The total number of subspecies is 150 thousand individuals.

Giraffes are threatened by wild animals and poachers. On land they are hunted by lions, leopards, and hyenas. Near bodies of water during watering hours they are defenseless from attacks by crocodiles. Only large adult individuals are capable of defending themselves; young ones are often attacked. Its impressive size can scare away predators. The hooves of the front legs can deliver heavy blows, which is the self-defense of giraffes. One strong blow can break the skull bone of a not very large animal.

Giraffes are inhabitants of zoos. Proper living conditions benefit animals and prolong their lifespan.

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis- artiodactyl mammal from the giraffe family (Giraffidae). The tallest land animal on Earth.

Description

The giraffe is the tallest land mammal on the planet. Males reach a height of 5.7 meters from the ground to the horns: 3.3 meters to the shoulders and the neck rises 2.4 meters. Females are 0.7-1 meter shorter than males. The weight of a male is about 1930 kg, and that of a female is 1180 kg. The cub is born with a weight of 50 – 55 kg and a height of about 2 meters.

Giraffes of both sexes are spotted. It varies depending on the habitat. All nine subspecies have different patterns. The spots characteristic of giraffes can be small, medium or large in size. The color of the spots varies from yellow to black. Throughout the life of a giraffe, the pattern remains unchanged. But depending on the season and the health of the animal, the color of the coat may change.

The giraffe has long and strong legs. In this case, the front legs are longer than the hind legs. The neck consists of seven elongated vertebrae. Giraffes have a sloping back, a thin and long tail, about 76-101 cm. The black tassel at the end of the tail is used by the animal to get rid of annoying flies and other flying insects. A giraffe's horns are bony projections covered with skin and hair. The horns of females are thin and have tassels. In males they are thick and the fur is smooth. There is often a bone growth on the forehead, which is mistaken for the middle horn. Their eyes are large, and their tongue is black and long, about 45 cm, for better capture of food from the very tops of trees.

Area

Africa is the homeland of giraffes. They are mainly distributed from the south of the Sahara to the east of the Transvaal and northern Botswana. Giraffes have disappeared from most habitats in West Africa, with the exception of a remaining population in the Niger Republic, which has been reintroduced from game reserves in South Africa.

Habitat

Giraffes live in the arid regions of Africa. They prefer areas with a lot of acacia growing. They can be found in savannas, woodlands and meadows. Because giraffes drink only occasionally, they live in dry lands far from water sources. Males tend to venture into more wooded areas in search of foliage.

Giraffes are not territorial animals. Their habitat range varies from 5 to 654 square kilometers, depending on the availability of water and food sources.

Reproduction

Giraffes are polygamous animals. Males carefully guard their females from other males. Courtship begins when the male approaches the female and analyzes her urine. The male then rubs his head next to the sacrum of his chosen one and places his head on her back to rest. He licks the female's tail and raises his front paw. If the female has accepted the courtship, she goes around the male and holds her tail for the mating position, after which the process of copulation itself occurs.

Conception occurs during the rainy season, and the birth of cubs occurs during the dry months. Most births take place between May and August. Females breed every 20-30 months. The duration of pregnancy is about 457 days. Females give birth standing or while walking. The cub is born with a height of about 2 meters. Most often, one calf is born; Twins do occur, but very rarely. Newborns stand up and begin suckling within fifteen minutes of birth. The cubs hide for most of the day and night during the first week of their lives. The period of stay of a female cub next to its mother lasts 12-16 months, and a male cub – 12-14 months. The period of independence varies depending on gender. Females tend to stay in the herd. However, males remain solitary until they develop their own herd, where they can become dominant males. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 3-4 years, but do not breed for at least one year. At the age of 4-5 years, males become sexually mature. However, they do not reproduce until they reach the age of seven.

3-4 weeks after birth, females send their offspring to nurseries. This allows mothers to separate from their cubs over long distances to obtain food and drink. Mother giraffes take turns watching the young in a group. Thanks to such groups, females have the opportunity to move away to distances of about 200 meters. But before dark, they return to the calves to feed them milk and protect them from nocturnal predators.

Lifestyle

Giraffes are social animals that live in free, open herds. The number of individuals is from 10 to 20, although cases of 70 individuals in one herd have been recorded. Individuals can join or leave the herd at will. Herds consist of females, males and cubs of different sexes and ages. Females are more socialized than males.

Giraffes consume food and water in the morning and evening. These mammals rest at night in a standing position. When resting, their head rests on their hind leg and, together with their neck, forms an impressive arch. They sleep standing up, but occasionally they can lie down. Giraffes' eyes are half-closed when resting, and their ears twitch. During hot afternoons, they usually chew cud, but may do so during the day.

Adult males establish their dominance during a duel. Sparring occurs between two males. The males walk in step with each other, their necks pointing forward in a horizontal position. They intertwine their necks and heads, leaning against each other to assess the strength of their opponent. Then the giraffes stand nearby and begin to hit the enemy with their neck and head. Their blow is quite heavy and can knock down and also injure the enemy.

Giraffes are fast-moving mammals that can reach speeds of 32 to 60 km/h and run impressive distances.

Lifespan

Giraffes have a lifespan of 20 to 27 years in zoos and 10 to 15 years in the wild.

Communication and perception

Giraffes rarely make sounds and are therefore considered quiet or even mute mammals. They communicate with their own kind using infrasound. Sometimes they can make sounds similar to grunting or whistling. When alarmed, a giraffe can snort or grunt, thereby warning neighboring giraffes of danger. Mothers whistle to their calves. In addition, females search for lost cubs using roars. Calves respond to their mothers by bleating or meowing. During courtship, males may make coughing sounds.

The giraffe has good visibility due to its height. This allows the animals to maintain continuous visual contact even at great distances from the herd. Keen vision helps the giraffe see a predator from a distance in order to prepare for an attack.

Eating Habits

Giraffes eat leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits. In areas where the savannah surface is salty or full of minerals, they eat the soil. Giraffes are ruminants. They have a four-chambered stomach. Chewing gum while traveling helps extend the time between feedings.

They have long tongues, narrow snouts, and flexible upper lips that help them reach leaves from tall trees. Giraffes feed on the foliage of various trees, including acacia senegalese, mimosa pudica, combretum parviflora and apricot. The main food is acacia leaves. Giraffes take a tree branch into their mouths and, arching their heads, tear off the leaves. Acacia has thorns, but the animal's molars easily grind them. During the day, an adult male consumes up to 66 kg of food. However, when food is scarce, a giraffe can survive on only 7 kg of food per day.

Males usually forage at the height of their head and neck. Females feed on leaves growing at the height of their body and knees, and on the crowns of lower trees and shrubs. Females are more selective in feeding; they choose leaves with the highest calorie content.

Threats from wild animals

They are the main threat to giraffes. Leopards and hyenas have also been spotted hunting giraffes. Adults are quite capable of defending themselves. They remain alert and are capable of delivering lightning-fast and deadly strikes with their hooves. Near bodies of water, giraffes can become victims of crocodiles. Most predators target young, sick or elderly individuals. Their spotted color gives them good camouflage.

Role in the ecosystem

In many zoos and nature reserves, giraffes bring good profits by attracting visitors. Previously, these mammals were killed for meat and skin, as well as for entertainment. Buckets, reins, whips, belts for harnesses, and sometimes for musical instruments were made from thick skins.

Security status

The giraffe population in some parts of their range was stable for a long time, but in others it was subject to extermination. Giraffes were hunted for their valuable meat, skin and tail. The population is still widespread in eastern and southern Africa, but has declined sharply in western Africa. In the Niger Republic, giraffe conservation has become a priority. In other places where large mammals have disappeared, giraffes have survived. This happened due to reduced competition with other animals.

Subspecies

The distribution by subspecies includes the territorial location of these mammals and the pattern on the body. Today there are nine subspecies of giraffes:

Nubian giraffe

Nubian giraffe (G. c. Camelopardalis) lives in eastern South Sudan and southwestern Ethiopia. Giraffes of this subspecies have distinctive chestnut spots surrounded by mostly white lines. The bone growth on the forehead is more pronounced in males. There are believed to be around 250 giraffes left in the wild, although this figure has not been confirmed. Nubian giraffes are difficult to find in captivity, although a small group is located at the Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates. In 2003, the group consisted of 14 individuals.

Reticulated giraffe

Reticulated giraffe (G. c. reticulata), it is also known as the Somali giraffe. Its homeland is northeastern Kenya, southern Ethiopia and Somalia. It has a distinctive pattern on its body, which consists of spiky, reddish-brown polygonal spots separated by a network of thin white lines. The spots may be located below the hock, and a bony growth on the forehead is present only in males. It is estimated that there are a maximum of 5,000 individuals in the wild and about 450 in zoos.

Angolan giraffe

Angolan giraffe or Namibian (G. c. angolensis), lives in northern Namibia, southwestern Zambia, Botswana and western Zimbabwe. Genetic research on this subspecies suggests that the desert populations of northern Namibia and Etosha National Park constitute a distinct subspecies. It is characterized by large brown spots on the body with jagged or elongated corners. The patterns are distributed along the entire length of the legs, but are absent in the upper part of the face. The neck and rump have a small number of spots. The subspecies has a white patch of skin in the ear area. According to recent estimates, a maximum of 20,000 animals remain in the wild and about 20 are in zoos.

Kordofan giraffe

Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum) distributed in southern Chad, the Central African Republic, northern Cameroon and the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The giraffe population of Cameroon was previously classified as a different subspecies - the West African one, but this was a mistaken opinion. Compared to Nubian giraffes, this subspecies has more uneven spotting. Their spots may be located below the hocks and on the insides of the legs. A bony growth on the forehead is present in males. About 3,000 individuals are thought to live in the wild. Considerable confusion exists regarding the status of this and the West African subspecies in zoos. In 2007, all supposed West African giraffes were in fact Kordofan giraffes. Taking these amendments into account, there are about 65 Kordofan giraffes in zoos.

Masai giraffe

Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi), also known as the Kilimanjar giraffe, lives in central and southern Kenya and Tanzania. This subspecies has its distinctive, irregularly distributed, jagged, star-shaped spots that are found on the legs. Most often, a bone growth on the forehead is found in males. There are about 40,000 giraffes left in the wild, and about 100 giraffes are in zoos.

Rothschild's giraffe

Rothschild's giraffe (G. c. rothschildi), so named after Walter Rothschild, also known as the Baringo giraffe or the Ugandan giraffe. Its range includes parts of Uganda and Kenya. Giraffes of this subspecies have large dark spots that have smooth contours, but also have sharp edges. Dark spots may have lighter lines. The spots rarely extend below the hock and almost never reach the hooves. Fewer than 700 individuals remain in the wild and more than 450 Rothschild's giraffes live in zoos.

South African giraffe

South African giraffe (G. c. giraffa) lives in northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, and southwestern Mozambique. The subspecies is characterized by the presence of dark, slightly rounded spots on the reddish color of the skin. The spots spread down the legs and become smaller in size. There are approximately 12,000 South African giraffes in the wild and 45 in captivity.

Rhodesian giraffe

Rhodesian giraffe (G. c. thornicrofti), also has the name Thornycroft's giraffe, after Harry Scott Thornycroft bounded the Luangwa Valley in eastern Zambia. Has jagged spots and some in the shape of a star, and which sometimes spread to the legs. The bony growth on the forehead of males is underdeveloped. No more than 1,500 individuals remain in the wild.

West African giraffe

West African giraffe (G. c. peralta) also known as the Niger or Niger subspecies, is endemic to the southwestern part of the Niger Republic. Giraffes of this subspecies have a lighter coat compared to other subspecies. The spots on the body are lobate-shaped and extend below the hock. Males have a well-developed bony growth on the forehead. This subspecies has the smallest population size, with less than 220 individuals remaining in. Cameroon giraffes were previously classified as this subspecies, but in fact, they were Kordofan giraffes. This error led to some confusion in the population estimates of the subspecies, but in 2007 it was determined that all West African giraffes found in European zoos are in fact Kordofan subspecies giraffes.

Video: Male giraffe fighting

Interesting facts about African giraffes

The giraffe is easily recognized by its long neck, powerful torso, and skin, which is dominated by spots reminiscent of the color of a leopard. These animals are so unusual that some interesting facts about them will surprise both children and adults.

Territory of residence

Nine subspecies of African giraffes have been discovered. They are widespread throughout Africa, including southern and western Niger and Somalia. These mammals live mainly in steppes and woodlands, where they can find long trees.

The giraffe is not endangered. Their total number is about 140,000 individuals. However, recent research suggests that only 80,000 individuals remain in the wild.

Animal height and weight:

• the height of the mammal is approximately 5 – 6 m;
• females are shorter compared to males;
• males weigh on average about 1600 kg;
• females weight 830 kg;
• leg diameter – approximately 30 cm;
• the length of the purple tongue is about 50 cm;
• tail length is 1 meter;
• neck length - about 2 meters, with cervical vertebrae measuring 28 cm;
• the heart weighs about 11 kg and its length is 61 cm.

Some interesting facts about the giraffe:

• hind legs are 10% shorter compared to the front legs;
• while running, the speed of giraffes reaches 50 - 60 kilometers per hour;
• these mammals sleep 4 – 4.5 hours a day;
• they can feed on leaves from trees 4.5 m high;
• thanks to their long neck, giraffes' eyes give them an exceptional view (including predators) from above;
• their necks are weapons they use to fight each other;
• they have an acute sense of smell and hearing;
• these mammals are able to close their nostrils to escape sandstorms;
• dark spots on the body of animals, ranging from orange to brown;
• giraffes live in groups of 30 - 32 individuals;
• the average life expectancy of the “African miracle” is approximately 25 years in the wild;
• these species are territorial mammals and they tend to be solitary.

Where do they live?

Giraffes are typically inhabitants of savannah, woodlands and grasslands. These animals live in several African countries: South Africa, Cameroon, Rwanda, Senegal, Malawi, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Angola, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Uganda and Tanzania.

Reproduction features:

• the gestation period lasts 400 – 600 days;
• females give birth to 1 – 2 calves;
• the length of newborns is about 1.8 meters;
• mothers care for their calves for 1 – 3 weeks, when they are more susceptible to predation;
• females reach sexual maturity at the age of four years, and males become sexually mature after 4 – 5 years.

What do they eat?

Giraffes mainly feed on tree and acacia branches, which are rich in calcium and protein. These animals consume 34 kg of food per day. They also eat bushes, fruits and grass. When eating, fauna tower cranes typically chew their food and swallow it.

Who eats them?

Adult giraffes are inaccessible to most predators, who mainly hunt young or sick animals. But sometimes, at a watering hole, these mammals can easily become victims of crocodiles, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and wild dogs.

After such a close acquaintance with the African giraffe and learning interesting details about it, you will once again be convinced of the beauty and fragility of our nature.