The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant. The giraffe's scientific name, which is similar to its antiquated English name of camelopard, refers to its irregular patches of color on a light background, which bear a token resemblance to a leopard's spots. The word Giraffe, comes from the Arabic word - zerafa, which means charming or lovely one. Giraffes can be found in southern, central and eastern Africa. As of now, their population is in good standing.
Facts and Trivia about Giraffes:
The giraffe is one of only two living species of the family Giraffidae, along with the okapi. The family was once much more extensive, with numerous other species. The giraffids evolved from a 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall antelope-like mammal that roamed Europe and Asia some 30–50 million years ago.
The tallest mammal in the world is the giraffe. Male giraffes normally weigh between 2,400 and
3,000 pounds and can stand up to 19 feet tall. Female giraffes can be up to 16 feet tall and weigh between 1,600 and 2, 600 pounds.
A baby giraffe is about six feet tall at birth. Newborn giraffe calves begin their lives by falling 6 feet to the ground. When it is first born, a baby giraffe is very wobbly on its legs and so cannot stand up for at least its first half an hour.
The neck of a Giraffe can be as long as 8 feet! Their tongue is a foot long. The giraffe’s long tongue is so tough that it can wrap around the thorns of a thorn tree to grab twigs. Both man and giraffes have the same amount of neck bones - 7. The legs of a giraffe are almost 2 m long.
Giraffes have knobs or horns on the top of their heads that are used to protect the head in fights. These grow to be around five inches long. Male giraffes do not use their horns as weapons against predators, the only time they use them is to fight peers.
When giraffes walk, they move the two legs on one side of their body, the other two on the other side. Their long legs mean that when it comes to running they can gallop along faster than the speediest racehorse. When drinking, a giraffe has to spread its forelegs wide or kneel down to reach the water. This position makes it very vulnerable to attack by lions.
A giraffe’s coat is patched in brown on cream, and each giraffe has its own unique pattern. The reticulated giraffes of East Africa have triangular patches, but the South African Cape giraffes have blotchy markings.
A giraffe’s heart can pump 16 gallons of blood in one minute! Giraffes have one of the highest blood pressures of all animals, due to their height and the large size of their heart. The average giraffe's blood pressure is two or three times that of a healthy man.
The giraffe can drink 12 gallons in one setting. They can go without water longer than a camel can. They can go several days with no water, and stay hydrated by the water of the leaves.
Giraffes are social animals that travel in large herds consisting of both males and females of all ages. During the breeding season, rival male giraffes rub their necks together and swing them from side to side. This is called necking. The gestation period is typically 15 months. During the first week of life, the baby giraffe is carefully guarded. While the mothers feed, the calves are kept in nursery groups. Giraffes live for 10-15 years in the wild, but average 25 years at zoos.
Facts, trivia and information about Giraffes collected and brought to you by PetStreetMall.com, your premier pet supplies store for every pet needs like dog beds and more.
Facts and Trivia about Giraffes:
The giraffe is one of only two living species of the family Giraffidae, along with the okapi. The family was once much more extensive, with numerous other species. The giraffids evolved from a 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall antelope-like mammal that roamed Europe and Asia some 30–50 million years ago.
The tallest mammal in the world is the giraffe. Male giraffes normally weigh between 2,400 and
3,000 pounds and can stand up to 19 feet tall. Female giraffes can be up to 16 feet tall and weigh between 1,600 and 2, 600 pounds.A baby giraffe is about six feet tall at birth. Newborn giraffe calves begin their lives by falling 6 feet to the ground. When it is first born, a baby giraffe is very wobbly on its legs and so cannot stand up for at least its first half an hour.
The neck of a Giraffe can be as long as 8 feet! Their tongue is a foot long. The giraffe’s long tongue is so tough that it can wrap around the thorns of a thorn tree to grab twigs. Both man and giraffes have the same amount of neck bones - 7. The legs of a giraffe are almost 2 m long.
Giraffes have knobs or horns on the top of their heads that are used to protect the head in fights. These grow to be around five inches long. Male giraffes do not use their horns as weapons against predators, the only time they use them is to fight peers.
When giraffes walk, they move the two legs on one side of their body, the other two on the other side. Their long legs mean that when it comes to running they can gallop along faster than the speediest racehorse. When drinking, a giraffe has to spread its forelegs wide or kneel down to reach the water. This position makes it very vulnerable to attack by lions.
A giraffe’s coat is patched in brown on cream, and each giraffe has its own unique pattern. The reticulated giraffes of East Africa have triangular patches, but the South African Cape giraffes have blotchy markings.
A giraffe’s heart can pump 16 gallons of blood in one minute! Giraffes have one of the highest blood pressures of all animals, due to their height and the large size of their heart. The average giraffe's blood pressure is two or three times that of a healthy man.
The giraffe can drink 12 gallons in one setting. They can go without water longer than a camel can. They can go several days with no water, and stay hydrated by the water of the leaves.
Giraffes are social animals that travel in large herds consisting of both males and females of all ages. During the breeding season, rival male giraffes rub their necks together and swing them from side to side. This is called necking. The gestation period is typically 15 months. During the first week of life, the baby giraffe is carefully guarded. While the mothers feed, the calves are kept in nursery groups. Giraffes live for 10-15 years in the wild, but average 25 years at zoos.
Facts, trivia and information about Giraffes collected and brought to you by PetStreetMall.com, your premier pet supplies store for every pet needs like dog beds and more.
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