How Fast Does a Giraffe Run?

Giraffes are tall, strong and fast. They can be seen gracefully galloping across the savanna at speeds of up to 35 mph. However, because the giraffe tires easily, it is more of a sprinter than a long-distance runner.

Features

A giraffe is built for speed. Its legs, at 6 feet tall, are longer than those of most humans. The giraffe can reach speeds of nearly 35 mph over short distances. Over long distances, a giraffe can run about 10 mph. Giraffes have an interesting way of running. Instead of moving with a front leg, followed by the opposite back leg, the giraffe moves the front leg and back leg from one side together, and then the legs on the opposite side will move forward.

Potential

Although giraffes are known for their speed, their predators can often outrun them. The lion can charge at nearly 50 mph. The lion will try to pull the giraffe down for an attack. Hyenas are also enemies to the giraffe and can speed along at about 40 mph. If a predator overtakes a giraffe, the giraffe can use its powerful legs to deliver a swift kick to the enemy--hard enough to break bones.

Geography

There are nine subspecies of giraffe. The spotted pattern on a giraffe's body is unique to each subspecies--and is indicative of where it lives and what it eats. Giraffes inhabit the grasslands, woodlands and savannas of Africa. The open habitat allows the giraffe to run freely and uninhibited.

Size

At nearly 18 feet tall, the giraffe is as tall as three grown men, and it can weigh almost 3,800 lbs. A giraffe's long neck is about as long as its legs: 6 feet. When a calf is born, it is about 6 feet tall--tall enough to reach its mother for nursing.

Benefits

Being a fast runner is a definite benefit for the giraffe. With its long neck for scoping out predators, combined with speed, the giraffe has a good chance of escaping its enemies. However, young calves often fall prey to lions, hyenas and other predators. More than half of them won't even make it to their first birthdays.