Characteristics of a Giraffe
All giraffes are considered one species, yet are categorized in 9 sub-species. These sub-species are distinguishable by the shape and color of their spots as well as where they live. Giraffes, as a whole, are not endangered. One of the 9 species, however, is getting close. Only 445 Uganda giraffes exist in the wild as of 2010, according to the San Diego Zoo in California.
Other People Are Reading
-
Size
-
The giraffe is the tallest animal on Earth. Male giraffes grow up to 18 feet tall and weigh roughly 1 to 2 tons. The female giraffe grows up to 16 feet tall. The front legs of a giraffe are slightly longer than the back legs, and are connected to large muscles at the base of the neck. The giraffe's six-foot long neck has only 7 vertebrae, the same number as most other mammals, but greatly elongated. A newborn giraffe will measure about 6 feet tall and grow about an inch per day, doubling its height in the first year.
Head
-
Male and female giraffes are one of the few hoofed animals born with horns. Their canine teeth are arranged in 2 or 3 lobes that allow them to comb the leaves off trees. Giraffes have a long black tongue that extends 18 inches. When a giraffe lowers its head, blood flow suddenly increases. To compensate for this, the blood vessels and valves in the neck are elastic. The vessels thin out when a giraffe lowers its head to slow the rush of blood.
-
Markings and Color
-
The giraffe's coloring consists of patches that vary in size, shape and pattern, depending on the sub-species.The color of the patches vary depending on what they eat and where they live.
Behavioral Characteristics
-
The giraffe can rest while standing, but will often lie down. Giraffes can reach running speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. Small groups will band together, laying claim to a 46-square-mile area, for protection. The home area of one group will often overlap another. Male giraffes neck wrestle to determine dominance over a group. Adult Giraffes are very protective of each other, and only take occasional 5-minute naps throughout the day.
Miscellaneous
-
William Wood, a chemical ecologist at California's Humboldt State University, believes the 11 malodorous chemical compounds found in giraffe hair are a built-in tick and fungus repellent.
-
References
- Photo Credit giraffes image by antoine perroud from Fotolia.com
