Scientific Name – Giraffa Camelopardalis

Classification – Ungulate

Gender Names – Male – Bull;  Female – Cow;  Baby – Calf

Collective Noun – Tower

Average Height – Males – 5 – 6 m (16 – 20 ft); Females – 4 – 5 metres (12 – 16 ft)

Average Weight – Males – 1200 kg (2600 lbs); Females – 800 kg (1800 lbs)

Top Speed – 51.4 km/h (32mph)

Life Expectancy – 20 – 25 years in the wild, up to 30 years in captivity

Mating Season – No specific time

Pregnancy – 14 – 15 Months

Special Features – A long neck up to 2 metres (6 ft) long used to reach the tops of trees. A long tongue (up to 55 cm, 22 in) is used to strip leaves from the trees. Although they may look the same, each giraffe has a unique pattern on its body.

Family Unit – Flexible social structure with groups of up to 20 individuals coming together especially where there is a good food source.

Geographical Distribution – Southern and central Africa

World Population – 110,000 – 150,000

Conservation Status – Low risk

Natural Habitat – Savanna plains, grasslands, open woodland

Diet – Herbivore (vegetarian) – leaves and shoots from trees and shrubs, especially Acacia

Predators – Adults – man; Babies – lions, hyenas, leopards, African wild dogs

 

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