Male vs. Female Giraffes: 4 Key Differences

Have you ever found yourself at a giraffe enclosure wondering which were males and which were females? There are several ways to distinguish between sexes. Infact, these differences are noticeable as long as you know what to look for. Not only do they differ in appearance, but they also behave differently. Let’s dive into the discussion of male vs. female giraffes and study the four key differences: size, appearance, behavior, and life expectancy.

Comparing a Male and Female Giraffe

Key Differences Between Male and Female Giraffes

What are the key differences between male and female giraffes? 

• Males are heavier and taller than females, measuring 1 to 4 feet taller and weighing 100 to 1,500 pounds more on average.
• Females have thinner horn-like structures with hair, while the males are more prominent and often hairless. 
• Males form bachelor herds when young and often live alone as they age. Females form tight bonds and have all-female herds. 
• On average, females live 25% longer than males.

Size

One of the quickest ways to tell the difference between a male and female giraffe is by size. Giraffes are the tallest land mammals on Earth, but the two sexes differ in weight and height. Male giraffes typically range between 16 and 17 feet in total length and weigh an average of 2,100 to 3,000 pounds. Females measure 13 to 15 feet tall and weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. In general, males are significantly taller and heavier than females. If you see two giraffes next to each other and one is several feet taller than the other, the taller is likely a male.

Appearance

Apart from their size difference, giraffes have other physical characteristics that set them apart. Giraffes exhibit slight sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females differ in appearance. Studies that measured the heads and necks of both sexes determined that mature males had heavier skulls than females. However, the differences in the heads and necks are minimal and are not noticeable when casually viewing. But there is a noticeable difference in the males’ and females’ appearances.

Ossicones are skin-covered bone structures or “horns” on a giraffe. These horns are the most apparent difference between the two sexes. While both have two ossicones on their heads, those of females are thinner and end with tufts of hair. Males have larger structures and use theirs during combat with other male giraffes. Due to the intense fighting, male ossicones are often hairless and covered in calluses. Male giraffes can occasionally have a medial ossicone in the center of the forehead. They can even have additional ossicones behind the central pair.

Behavior

Mother giraffes can be easily discerned as a young calf often plays or stands near its mother. Mothers also bond with their young by touching the calf’s head, mane, back, and rump with her nose. Female giraffes will make a loud bellow when looking for their calves.

When not guarding their newborns, females are very social and stay in tight-knit groups of other females and their young. They are known to have closer bonds than males.

Young adult males play fight with one another. A dominant male in the group will carry his head high and tense, while a submissive male will carry his head low and lay his ears downward.

Younger males form all-male or “bachelor herds” after leaving their mothers. They often follow older males to learn from them. Older males either live alone, with females, or in pairs. Male giraffes don’t form tight bonds with others but have more “acquaintances” than females. Males make a loud coughing noise during courtship.

A study found that males took larger bites when foraging, but females chewed faster and took more bites. Overall, males had a higher food intake.

Life Expectancy

Female giraffes live longer than males due to a smaller body mass. The average life expectancy for males in the wild is 14 to 16 years, and around 14 years in managed care. Females live about 25% longer than males, with an average lifespan of 20 years.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Chloe Gaw from Sketchify Education, christana/ via Canva.com