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Giraffe

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Giraffes are found in parts of Africa and are the tallest mammals on Earth standing at an average of 6 metres tall. The giraffe is able to reach twigs and leaves at the top of trees that other animals cannot get to thanks to the vast length of the neck of the giraffe.

The giraffe is thought to be related to cattle and deer, and inhabit plains, grasslands and wooded areas. Giraffes can spend long periods of time in hot, dry lands as the giraffe is able to drink enormous quantities of water when they come across it.

Male giraffes tend to be more solitary animals than the female giraffes. Female giraffes can often be found in small groups on the African Savannah normally with their young giraffes following close behind their mother giraffes.

Despite the fact that a giraffes head is approximately 6 m above ground, the common theory that giraffes are more flexible than the average animal is untrue as the giraffe has the same amount of bones in its neck as any other animal, which is 7. The giraffe is also unable to turn its head back.

The giraffe has spots covering its entire body which is believed to help the giraffe camouflage itself slightly in the African wilderness. Giraffes however, do not have spots on the underside of their tummies and each giraffe has spots that are truly unique to the giraffe as an individual.

Giraffe Foot Facts

The giraffe has a hoof-like foot that is split into sections that provide the giraffe with a greater surface area and therefore better balance.
The average hoof of an adult giraffe is about the same size as a dinner plate and can reach 12 inches in diameter.
When a giraffe walks, the giraffe moves both feet on one side of the body first and then moves both feet on the other side of their body.
When a giraffe runs, the giraffe moves both feet at the front of its body followed by its back feet as this allows the giraffe to gallop effectively and therefore escape any oncoming predators.
The hoof of the giraffe is used to fend off unwanted company and is also very adept for walking on solid ground, however the hoof is not very effective on muddy ground and simply sinks into it.

Giraffe Teeth Facts

The giraffe has very tough lips to ensure that no damage is done to their mouths when chewing on trees and twigs that have thorns.
The giraffe uses its front teeth and lips to grab onto their food and then pulls it into their mouths using their long tongues before they begin to chew.
The giraffe has one set of teeth at the front on its bottom jaw and one set at the back on the top jaw, but the giraffe also has a hard plate at the top of its mouth.
The giraffe uses its teeth, long tongue and hard plate to cut up food before the back teeth are able to chew the last bits before the giraffe can swallow it.
The two sets of molars in the mouth of the giraffe means that the giraffe has 32 teeth, which is the same amount as humans have.

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Giraffe Facts

Kingdom: A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....	Animalia
Phylum: A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....	Chordata
Class: A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....	Mammalia
Order: A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....	Artiodactyla
Family: A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....	Giraffidae
Genus: A level of classifying animals within a family. Families are divided into sub-groups called genus which generally contain one or two animal species....	Giraffa

Scientific Name:	Giraffa Camelopardalis
Type:	Mammal
Diet:	Herbivore
Size:	4-6m (13-20ft)
Weight:	828-1,360kg (1,830-3,000lbs)
Top Speed:	59km/h (37mph)
Life Span:	20-25 years
Lifestyle:	Herd
Conservation Status: The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...	Threatened

Colour:	Brown, Red, Yellow, Tan
Skin Type:	Fur
Favourite Food:	Leaves
Habitat: The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...	Dry open areas and wooded savannas
Average Litter Size:	1
Main Prey: When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....	Leaves, Fruit, Shrubs
Predators: When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...	Human, Lion, Hyena
Special Features:	Patterned fur and long neck and tongue

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