Latin Name: Giraffa camelopardalis spp.
Conservation Status: Lower Risk
Average Height: Male - 17', Female - 16'
Average Weight: Male - 900 kg, Female - 850 kg
The Giraffe is the tallest mammal on the face of the
earth. Their height and spotted appearance gives them a very
The Giraffe, a distant relative of deer and cattle,
lives solely on the plains of Africa. They have elongated
front legs, and very long necks. Their necks make it easier
to eat the leaves off the tops of trees, but also hinders
them when drinking. The female Giraffe is smaller than the
male, in both height and relative size. The Giraffe is the
tallest living species in the class of mammals.
The scientific name given to the Giraffe,
camelopardalis, comes from the early description
of the animal as looking like a combination of a camel and
a leopard. In the 1300s, the Giraffe was called camelopard,
and remained known as this until the 1800s.
Necking is a common behaviour in which male giraffes engage.
Necking has been seen in both combat and sexual situations.
Two male giraffes will swing their heads and necks at another
male, colliding with the other giraffe. The longer the neck,
and heavier the head, the more likely the giraffe is to win
the battle. Death has been seen after such battles, but more
often the losing giraffe is only injured. In many cases, the
winning giraffe gets his choice of females.
Homosexual courtship between two males is actually quite
common in giraffes. Necking can be observed first, with both
male giraffes rubbing their necks together. This will obviously
lead to both mounting and climax. Homosexual relationships
occur with about 50% of all male giraffes, while only 1% of
female giraffes engage in same sex relations.
angolensis - Angolan Giraffe
|2. G.c. antiquorum - Kordofan Giraffe
|3. G.c. camelopardalis - Nubian
|4. G.c. giraffa - South African
|5. G.c. peralta - Nigerian Giraffe
|6. G.c. reticulata - Somali (Reticulated)
|7. G.c. rothschildi - Rothschild's
|8. G.c. tippelskirchi - Kilimanjaro
|9. G.c. thornicrofti - Thornicroft