|
The giraffe is the tallest living mammal.
Head/shoulder length is approximately 13' for the male. Shoulder height
is 8-12', overall height 15-19'. Weight is 1,100-2,800 lbs.
The reticulated giraffes are handsomely patterned in golden browns, with
a coarsely netted (reticulated) pattern mainly quadrangular in shape.
Males and females have stiff manes along their necks. Both sexes
have horn-like structures called ossicones (smaller on the females) on
top of their heads between their ears. These ossicones are present
at birth in the form of small knobs of cartilage covered with skin and
hair which become bony nodules with age. |
|
www.dimijianimages.com
|
www.cmzoo.org
|
|
|
| They have seven vertebrae in neck, the
same as man and most other mammals. The tail measures up to one yard
with a terminal tuft of stiff, black hair. They have long tongues
that measure 18-21 inches long. The inner part of the tongue is pink in
color, and then changes to a purplish-black color for the last 6 inches
that are commonly visible. |
|
|
www.cmzoo.org
|
www.exploretravel.com
|
|
|
|
They have long legs and neck, long, tough,
prehensile tongue, and leathery mouth for food gathering. Their coloration
is protective. They are tall with good eyesight for watchfulness.
Giraffes have high blood pressure (240/160) for pumping blood to the brain.
Herds are small and loosely constructed of 5-15 individuals, consisting
of one bull with females and young. Other bulls are solitary or in
pairs. Giraffes usually sleep standing up. Going for a month
without water is also possible as an adaptation to long drought periods
in their native areas. |
|
members.carol.net
|
www.cmzoo.org
|
|
|
| Primary consumer (herbivore). A browsing
ruminant that eats regularly throughout the day, the giraffe prefers young
leaves and shoots at tops of acacia trees; they also consume twigs and
bark. They prefer to drink regularly, but can go without water for
several days. Giraffes can run up to 35 mph. Predators are leopards
(prey on young), lions, and man. Giraffes kick with their hooves
and slam with their heads. |
|
|
www.cmzoo.org
|
www.africa-vacations.com
|
|
|
|
The carotid artery that carries blood from
the heart to the head is thick, muscular and elastic, ballooning when the
giraffe stoops to absorb increase in pressure. When the giraffe raises
its head, a series of check valves in the inch-wide jugular vein prevents
a sudden back flow from the emptying brain. Giraffes are most vulnerable
to predators when drinking or lying down. They may see red-orange,
yellow-green, purple, green and blue as colors. Their scientific
name means "camel-leopard-like one who walks swiftly." Their spot patterns
are as individual as fingerprints. There are no known cases of giraffes
swimming. Giraffe’s have a variety of sounds but they are rarely heard.
They may grunt of snort when alarmed, females may whistle to call their
young, and calves can bleat. |
|
earthlife.org
|
www.cmzoo.org
|
|
|
|
|
