Scientific Name : Giraffa Camelopardalis
Gestation Period : 400 – 460 days
Daily Sleep : 4.6 hours (In captivity)
Speed : 50 km/h (Endurance Running)
Height : 500 – 600 cm (Adult)
180 cm (Newborn)
Mass : 1,600 kg on average (Male)
830 kg on average (Female)
Life Span : About 25 years
About:
The Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. Its species name refers to its camel-like appearance and the patches of color on its fur. Its chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones and its distinctive coat patterns. It stands 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall and has an average weight of 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) for males and 830 kg (1,830 lb) for females. It is classified under the family Girafidae, along with its closest extant relative, the okapi. The nine subspecies are distinguished by their coat patterns.
List of Sub-Species:
Angolan giraffe (G. c. angolensis) < 20,000
Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum) < 3,000
Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelschirchi) < 40,000
Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis) < 250
Reticulated giraffe (G. c. reticulata) < 5,000
Rothschild's giraffe (G. c. rothschildi) < 670
South African giraffe (G. c. giraffa) < 12,000
Thornicroft’s giraffe (G c. thornicrofti) < 1,500
West African giraffe (G. c. peralta) < 250
How long is a giraffe's tongue ?
Giraffe use their 18-20 inch (45-50 centimeter) long prehensile tongue and the roof of their mouths in order to feed on a range of different plants and shoots.
What is the color of a giraffe's tongue ?
The color of the tongue is best described as black, blue or purple with a pink base/back (see photo below). It is generally assumed that the front part of the tongue has such dark coloration to protect it during frequent sun exposure while eating and prevent the tongue from getting sunburned.
Do giraffes drink water ?
In the deserts of northwest Namibia and other arid environments, giraffe absorb the majority of their moisture from condensation (and coastal fog) that gathers and is absorbed from the leaves during the much cooler nights and from coastal fog that covers part of the desert on two out of three nights.
But where water is readily available giraffe will often drink daily with splayed forelegs and/or bent knees to enable their long neck to reach down to the water.
Do giraffes lie down ?
Giraffe normally rest while standing up, but sometimes they can be observed lying down. When lying down, they fold their legs under their body, but keeping their necks held high. Giraffe have been known to continue browsing and ruminating in this resting position.
Occasionally, and only for very short periods of no more than 5 minutes, giraffe can sleep with their head resting back on their rump. But this is an extremely exposed and vulnerable position, hence the brevity and rarity.
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