The giraffe's height also helps it to keep a sharp lookout for predators across the wide expanse of the African savanna. The giraffe's stature can be a disadvantage as well—it is difficult and dangerous for a giraffe to drink at a water hole. To do so they must spread their legs and bend down in an awkward position that makes them vulnerable to predators like Africa's big cats. Giraffes only need to drink once every several days; they get most of their water from the luscious plants they eat.
Female giraffes give birth standing up. Their young endure a rather rude welcome into the world by falling more than 5 feet to the ground at birth. These infants can stand in half an hour and run with their mothers an incredible ten hours after birth. Giraffes have beautiful spotted coats.
While no two individuals have exactly the same pattern, giraffes from the same area appear similar. Up until recently, the consensus has been there is only one species of giraffe with multiple subspecies. In , some scientists released a study that claims genetic differences among giraffe populations indicate the existence of four distinct giraffe species.
All rights reserved. How many vertebrae are in that long neck? A truly a unique species, giraffes are found only in sub-Saharan Africa and can reach unbelievable heights. Learn surprising giraffe facts, such as why they need such enormous hearts and how they get by on less than thirty minutes of sleep each day. A reticulated giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata and a Rothschild's giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi , two giraffe subspecies, photographed at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure in Salina, Kansas.
Common Name: Giraffe. Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis. Type: Mammals. Diet: Herbivore. Size: 14 to 19 feet.
Just like in adulthood, however, male newborn giraffes are usually a little bigger than females. Within the first year of a young giraffe's life, you can expect the not-so-little one to grow almost another full 6 feet or so. To accommodate massive body weight, giraffes also weigh a lot, too.
The average weight range for an adult giraffe is usually somewhere within the range of 1, and 2, pounds. Straight after birth, calves already tip the scales at around pounds or so. Similarly to matters of height, female giraffes usually weight less than males.
Part of the giraffe's great height comes from its slender and graceful legs. Just by themselves, giraffe legs are typically around 6 feet in length.
The fall and impact break the umbilical cord and natal sac. The fall also causes the little one to take its first breath. One such situation happened in at a nature reserve in the United States. It was only the second occurrence of twin baby giraffes in the United States at the time.
After resting just one hour after birth , baby giraffes are able to stand walk, and even run to keep up with the herd! But in reality, baby giraffes come out of the womb at a staggering 6 feet tall 1. This author, standing at 5ft6, is quite jealous. What sound does giraffe make? At birth, they can weigh to pounds Baby giraffes can grow up to 0. Females have thinner ossicones, with longer hair at the top. Males have larger ones, with knobs at the end, and become bald at the top as they get older.
Percentage-wise, baby giraffe necks are smaller than adult ones, most likely to fit inside the womb. They can nurse up to nine to 12 months.
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