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Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Classification:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa

Other names:
Afrikaans: Kameelperd
French: Girafe
German: Giraffe
Dutch: Giraf
Portuguese: Girafa

The Giraffe is an even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all land-living animal species. Males can be 4.8 to 5.5 metres (16 to 18 feet) tall and weigh up to 900 kilograms (2000 pounds). Females are generally slightly shorter and weigh less.

Native to Africa, the Giraffe is related to deer and cattle, but is placed in a separate family, the Giraffidae, consisting only of the giraffe and its closest relative, the Okapi.

The species name camelopardalis (camelopard) is derived from its early Roman name, where it was described as having characteristics of both a camel and a leopard (and perhaps being a hybrid of the two).

There are nine generally accepted subspecies, differentiated by color and pattern variations and range. One of them the South African Giraffe — rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.

Giraffes are well known for long necks that allow them to browse on the leaves of trees. The bony structure of the neck is essentially unchanged from that of other horse. The giraffe has seven greatly enlarged neck vertebrae (the same number as horses and humans). A giraffe's heart, which can weigh up to 10 kg, has to generate around double the normal blood pressure for a large mammal in order to maintain blood flow to the brain against gravity. In the upper neck, a complex pressure-regulation system called the rete mirabile prevents excess blood flow to the brain when the Giraffe lowers its head to drink. Conversely, the blood vessels in the lower legs are under great pressure (because of the weight of fluid pressing down on them). In other animals such pressure would force the blood out through the capillary walls: Giraffes, however, have a very tight sheath of thick skin over their lower limbs which maintains high extravascular pressure in exactly the same way as a pilot's g-suit.

The pace of the Giraffe is an amble, though when pursued it can run extremely fast. Its leg length compels an unusual gait with the left legs moving together followed by right (similar to pacing) at low speed, and the back legs crossing outside the front at high speed. The small size of its lungs prevents it from supporting a lengthened chase.

The Giraffe defends itself against threats by kicking with great force. A single well-placed kick of an adult giraffe can shatter a lion's skull or break its spine.
The Giraffe has one of the shortest sleep requirement of any mammal, which is reckoned to be between 20 minutes and two hours in a 24 hour period.

A Giraffe will clean off any bugs that appear on its face (usually while eating) with its extremely long tongue (about 18 inches). The tongue is unusually tough on account of the giraffe's diet, which often consists of thorns from the tree it is making a meal of.

Giraffes are thought to be mute. However, recent research has shown evidence that the animal communicates at an infrasound level with a surprising level of complexity.

Habitat:
Plains and woodlands.

Reproduction and social life:
Giraffe gestation lasts between 14 and 15 months after which a single calf is born. The mother gives birth standing up. Newborn giraffes are about 1.8 metres tall. Within a few hours of being born, calves can run around and are indistinguishable from a calf that may be a week old already.

Conservation status:
Lower risk

Twiga, here is the pic of the Giraffe lying down as discussed last week.

Hey DvZ! That's really amazing! One never sees a giraffe lying down! If a predator had to come along he/she would be in big trouble!! Thanks for posting the pic!

This is not uncommon behaviour. Giraffe often lay down..

Hi all, last weekend we noticed two giraffe eating off the ground, definately not drinking, this is the first time we have ever seen anything like this, could it be the possibility of obtaining salt?

Hi floydy...I've also seen them doing it once ... I suppose it could be for extra nutrients ... or a change in diet ..

What did the type of habitat look like where they were feeding? If it was very open with little grass (called a salt plain) then they were most probably licking salt.

Hi,

Alot of animals lick the ground and chew soil for additional nutrients, in response to nutrient deficiencies (ie. sodium, phosphorous, calcium etc.) - As all of you responders have suggested. The scientists call this 'geophagia' - where they literally eat from the earth..

I once found, and still have kept it, some kudu pellets that were completely clay. I thought at time it was one of the ant/termite eating mammals that voided the soil like they normally do. We analysed it somewhere & found that out.

Anyway, there are particular sites in park called Sodic sites, WTM touched on it a bit. They are usually flat, low lying areas adj drainage lines and have a sparse grass cover owing to the high nutrient status soils and thus grass which is heavily grazed. I have seen things licking soil in these specific areas.

Regards,

wj

Hi folks,
browsing through my photos I just wondered why most (?) giraffes have a pattern like this one

but some come with kind of 'frizzeled' spots like this one

what's the explanation for this?

Are both pics taken in the Kruger?

I've also got one of a giraffe that is very, very dark. Maybe genetic's. The reticulated giraffe which is found more north in Africa has a redder/brown, very distinct pattern - but that is a seperate sub species.

regards
bwana

That second one has distinct jagged edges. I would guess genetics as suggested ? Think most southern african ones are more like the first picture.

wj

both pictures taken at KNP, actually the precise question would be: is this a subspecies of its own (maybe introduced someday from another area) or do they just show different patterns now and then, even in the same herd?

In Kruger, no subspecies other than what can be called southern giraffe, when referring to all East African varieties. There would be local variations in all populations, just like the king cheetah is in the cheetah population.

I am not aware to date of any other subspecies of giraffe in sa, know Namibian ones are lighter.

regards,
wj

Very interesting Kwenga

I have never noticed a difference in patterns before. I know the patterns do get darker as they get older. I will certainly be checking giraffe very carefully in future and try to spot one of these giraffe. Do you remember what part of the park you saw him?