|
Class:
|
Mammalia
|
|
Order:
|
Artiodactyla
|
|
Family:
|
Giraffidae
|
|
Genus:
|
Giraffa
|
|
Species:
|
camelopardalis
|
|
Subspecies:
|
tippelskirchi
|
|
Life span:
|
10 – 15 years in the wild
20 – 27 years under human care |
|
Gestation:
|
15 months
|
|
Number of young at birth:
|
Usually one, twins are uncommon but do occur
|
|
Age of maturity:
|
Females: 3 – 4 years
Males: 4 – 5 years |
|
Size:
|
Up to 17 feet tall
|
|
Weight:
|
Up to 2,600 lb |
|
Size at birth:
|
6 ft tall
100 – 150 lb |
Fun Facts:
-
Giraffes have a small hump on their back and have a spotted pattern similar to that of a leopard.
-
For a long time, people called the giraffe a “camel-leopard” because they believed that it was a combination of the leopard.
-
Each subspecies of giraffe has a different coat pattern.
-
Masai giraffes are from Kenya and have patterns that look like oak leaves.
-
Both male and female giraffes have two distinct, hair-covered horns called ossicones.
-
Eat for 16 – 20 hours a day
-
Giraffes only need 5 – 30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period. Often taking quick naps that last only a minute or two at a time.
-
Giraffes can rest while standing but they sometimes also lie down with their head resting on their rump.
-
Giraffes may eat up to 75 lb of leaves per day. Their favorite leaves are from acacia trees.
-
A giraffe’s feet are the size of a dinner plate, 12 in. across
-
A giraffes tongue is 18 – 20 in. long and blue/black
-
Giraffes can moo, hiss, roar, and whistle
-
A giraffe’s eyes are the size of golf balls!
