Giraffes

The giraffe, or giraffa camelopardelis, is the tallest of all land dwelling animals.  The average weight of an adult male giraffe is 2,600 pounds, while the adult female weighs only 1,800 pounds. Giraffes are very tall, usually standing 14 to 17 feet tall. The tallest male giraffe ever recorded stood at a towering twenty feet.  

The giraffe is a distant relative of deer and cattle.  Giraffes mostly live in the savannas or grasslands, but if food gets scarce they will journey into the more densely wooded areas.  Giraffes inhabit almost all of Africa.  They can be found from Chad to South Africa. 

Giraffes use their extremely long necks to eat leaves from tall trees.  Giraffes can also go a couple days at a time without drinking.  They get water by licking up moisture from leaves of the trees they feast on. 

The main predators of giraffes are crocodiles, lions, and humans.  For defense, the giraffe will use its deadly kick and then run off with their amazing speed. 

For a long time, the giraffe was known as a camel leopard due to its leopard spots and its distinct little hump on its back.  Giraffes are creatures full of grace, beauty, and very long necks.

By: Colin Brandon