Giraffe
The giraffe is the tallest mammal on Planet Earth. It’s incredibly long neck is perhaps it’s single most distinguishing characteristic - it can grow longer than 7 1/2 feet, and their legs over 6 feet in length as well. Funny enough, their bodies are relatively short in comparison, but add all their limbs together, and a giraffe can stand nearly 19 feet in height!
Found only on the African continent, giraffes are a species unto themselves- no other animal besides the okapi- a distant cousin- resembles them. There are 9 different subspecies within the giraffe family and although there are relatively minor differences amongst them, they largely look alike. Besides their incredible necks, giraffes have a very distinct spotted coat that helps camouflage them on the African plains, as well smallish dark horns atop their head called ossicones. They also have extremely long tongues and epically long gestation periods- the female giraffe carries a calf anywhere from 14-16 months before giving birth.
Giraffes are herbivores- grazing on the trees and bushes that populate the African plains and most of their water intake comes from the leaves they eat, and so they only drink every few days. Adults have few predators, but lions are a constant threat to them. Calves are at greater risk from hyenas, wild dogs dogs and leopards. Giraffes can deliver very swift and powerful kicks, so they are able to deter predators with their martial arts skills. And even more impressive is the fact that giraffes can run as fast as 35 mph over short distances- wouldn’t want to get in the way of one of those guys sprinting in my direction!
Found only on the African continent, giraffes are a species unto themselves- no other animal besides the okapi- a distant cousin- resembles them. There are 9 different subspecies within the giraffe family and although there are relatively minor differences amongst them, they largely look alike. Besides their incredible necks, giraffes have a very distinct spotted coat that helps camouflage them on the African plains, as well smallish dark horns atop their head called ossicones. They also have extremely long tongues and epically long gestation periods- the female giraffe carries a calf anywhere from 14-16 months before giving birth.
Giraffes are herbivores- grazing on the trees and bushes that populate the African plains and most of their water intake comes from the leaves they eat, and so they only drink every few days. Adults have few predators, but lions are a constant threat to them. Calves are at greater risk from hyenas, wild dogs dogs and leopards. Giraffes can deliver very swift and powerful kicks, so they are able to deter predators with their martial arts skills. And even more impressive is the fact that giraffes can run as fast as 35 mph over short distances- wouldn’t want to get in the way of one of those guys sprinting in my direction!