Giraffe Behavioral Characteristics
Although giraffes form herds in order to defend themselves from predators more effectively, they are not territorial creatures and there is no herd leader. These animals are spaced far apart from each other within the herds and are largely independent, transient animals that do not develop a particularly strong sense of loyalty to an individual herd. Female giraffes rear their young alone and do not choose a mate for life.
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Social and Herd Behavior
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Giraffes live in very loose herds of up to 10 individuals, formed as a defense strategy. These herds are formed and fall apart very easily as giraffes within the same herd can be spaced apart by up to half a mile, sometimes causing herds to overlap each other. Giraffes are not territorial animals and their herds do not have leaders. Male giraffes only try to establish dominance, by swinging their heads at each other to establish who is the strongest, for the purpose of winning a mate.
Feeding Behavior
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The long necks that giraffes have allow them to reach the twigs and leaves that form a large part of their herbivorous diets. Smaller amounts of grass and salt deposits are also consumed by these animals as it is difficult for them to maneuver their necks to ground level. As a giraffe obtains large amounts of water from the leaves that it eats, it is not necessary for them to drink as often as other animals, and they can last more than a month without drinking.
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Reproduction and Nursing
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A female giraffe chooses its mate based on the hierarchical dominance that the male has achieved through competitions of strength with other males. Giraffes do not mate for life and male giraffes are not involved in raising the calves. Females usually choose the same location away from the herd to give birth. Giraffes give birth to their calves in an upright position, with healthy calves dropping several feet to the ground and standing up after around five minutes. They start walking after one hour. It is necessary for calves to grow very quickly so they can defend themselves from predators such as leopards and lions. Calves nurse regularly for the first few weeks of life, with intervals between milk feeds increasing after this time until they are fully weaned at around 6 months of age. Giraffes only allow their own young to feed from them.
Defensive Behavior
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Giraffes use their legs to defend themselves when being attacked by predators such as lions. With large, hard hooves, a strong kick from a giraffe is capable of shattering bones. Because of this defense mechanism, lions have to work together to kill a giraffe.
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References
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