Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus & Species: Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi
APPEARANCE
Rothschild's giraffes have the basic appearance of any giraffe subspecies:
long legs, a long neck with seven vertebrate, and a leopard-like coat. The
main trait that distinguishes the Rothschild's giraffe from the others is the
colour of its coat. The coat is pale and thickset when compared to the
Masai giraffe, the patches are less jagged and anywhere below the knee is
usually unmarked. Rothschild's giraffes reach heights of 5.5 m (18 ft) and
weights of 1200 kg (2700 lbs). They have a long tongue used to clean their
eyes and ears. Five skin-covered ossicorns are arranged on the top of the
head, with a boss in front and two pairs behind it. Rothschild's giraffes have
a life expectancy of 20-30 years.
HABITAT
Rothschild's giraffes are found in wooded plains or shrubs and thickets in
several countries south of the Saharan desert, including Kenya. They have
been exterminated throughout much of their former range.
FOOD
The Rothschild's giraffe is herbivorous and feeds on thorny acacia trees and
other plants by grasping the leaves with its long tongue. They eat
throughout much of the day and consume a daily amount of 30 lbs of
leaves. The males feed from the top branches and the females from the
lower branches, giving the trees a distinct appearance.
BREEDING
Rothschild's giraffes become sexually mature between the ages of 3-5. There
is no mating season; they can mate any time of the year. The gestation
period is 14-16 months with one calf being born. The young are born with
all five horns, or ossicorns, a rarity among mammals.
ENEMIES
Lions, hyaenas and leopards are the main enemies of the calves, whereas
poachers hunt the fully grown to be made into tourist mementos. All have
greatly declined the giraffes' numbers.
CONSERVATION
Breeding programs have been successful in many Australian zoos. Three
young have been born at Perth Zoo, and Melbourne Zoo and Orano Park
Wildlife Trust are also trying to breed this subspecies.
RELATIVES
Rothschild's giraffe is one of nine subspecies of the giraffe and is related to
the okapi .
RESOURCES CITED
1. www.parcsafari.qu.ca/english/giraffe.htm
2. www.arazpa.org.au/giraffe.htm
3. www.omen.net.au/~imgrund/giraffe.html
4. www.africaonline.co.ke/AfricaOnline/groups/parks/Giraffe.html
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