Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Quick stats of the Giraffe

Diet: – Herbivore
Shoulder Height: – 3 m
Weight: – Male – 1220 kg
Weight: – Female – 900 kg
Lifespan – 23 years

Description

Giraffe’s have the most unusual appearance of all Africa’s mammals. Their excessively long legs and neck allow them to feed on leaves and seed-pods at a level where they have no competition amongst the other herbivores. Giraffes are found in habitats where there are tallish trees and are frequently seen in the acacia savannahs.

Their patchwork body-patterns vary slightly though individual colour differences may sometimes be very obvious, some having unusually dark body patches whilst others are very light. The differences do not indicate different species, but merely represent the normal variation found in every animal species.

Giraffe are susceptible to attack by lion. The lion jumps onto the back of a fleeing giraffe, grabs a firm hold and bites into the neck. The giraffe, however, is not an easy prey. The kick from a distraught giraffe can kill or severely injure any careless predator.

After a gestation period of 15 months, a single calf is born. Giraffes give birth standing up and the calf can start to walk within an hour of being born.

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Other Names for the Giraffe

Kameelperd

Distribution

Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) were found in various parts of Africa, although their populations were facing threats from habitat loss, poaching, and other factors. Here’s an overview of the distribution of giraffes:

East Africa: Giraffes were commonly found in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. They inhabited savannas, grasslands, and woodlands in this region. National parks and reserves such as Maasai Mara (Kenya) and Serengeti (Tanzania) were well-known areas for giraffe sightings.
Southern Africa: Countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique were home to giraffe populations. They were often found in various habitats, including savannas, scrublands, and even some deserts.
West Africa: Giraffes were historically present in countries like Niger and Nigeria, but their populations were limited and fragmented.
Central Africa: Giraffes were reported in some parts of Central Africa, including Cameroon and Chad. However, they were less common in this region compared to other parts of the continent.
North Africa: Historically, giraffes inhabited North Africa, including countries like Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. However, by 2021, they had become extinct in this region due to habitat loss and hunting.