| The giraffe (Latin: Giraffa camelopardalis) is a mammal from the artiodactyla order, and the giraffidae family. The giraffe is the tallest land-living animal on the planet. For the difference between the related Okapi (“Forest Giraffe”), it is sometimes called the “Steppe Giraffe”.
Characteristics:
Males attain heights of up to 5.5 m and weigh up to 900 kg. Females, as a rule, are somewhat less in height and lighter. The neck in giraffes is extraordinarily long and this is in spite of the fact that, as in almost all other mammals, they have only seven oblong cervical vertebrae. This condition increases the load on the blood circulation system, especially with respect to supply to the brain. Therefore, the heart is especially strong in giraffes. The heart in giraffes pumps 60 liters of blood per minute and weighs 12 kg and creates pressure, which is three times more than the pressure in a human being. Nevertheless, it could not withstand an overload during the abrupt lowering and raising of the head of the giraffe. The giraffe’s blood is much thicker and has twice the density of the red blood cells in a human being so that the abrupt movements of the giraffe’s neck do not cause death to the animal. Also, the giraffe has special blocking valves in a big cervical vein, which blocks the flow of blood in such a manner that the pressure is retained in the main artery, which supplies blood to the brain. The dark tongue of a giraffe is very long and muscular: the giraffe can extend the tongue up to 45 cm and is capable of grasping branches with it.
Giraffes are capable of running very fast and in case of acute necessity, giraffes can attain a speed of 55 km/hr using gallops which means that the giraffes can overtake race horses at short distances. As a rule, however, they walk very leisurely, moving simultaneously on both front feet and then on both left feet. Due to its heavy weight and thin legs, giraffes can walk only on a hard surface. These animals avoid marshlands and rivers and they are often unconquerable barriers for giraffes. It is noteworthy that even though these animals appear bulky and sluggish, they can jump barriers up to height of 1.85 m.
Natural habitat:
Giraffes are found in the savannas of Africa. Today, the giraffes can be found only in the south of the Sahara, firstly in steppes of East and South Africa. The population in the north of the Sahara was eradicated by human beings a long time ago: During the times of Ancient Egypt, the giraffes existed in the delta of the Nile and on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. In the 20th century, the natural habitat of giraffes once again reduced considerably. Presently, the largest population of giraffes is found in wildlife parks and reserves.
Living:
Giraffes are exclusively herbivores. The body structure and physiology of giraffes allow them to eat foliage off the crowns of a tree - at height where they do not have competitors. Giraffes gladly prefer acacia trees from others. The giraffe holds the branch with its long tongue and pulls the branch towards its mouth and plucks the leaves by moving the head backwards. The tongue and lips are constructed in such a manner that they do not get damaged in spite of the thorny boughs. Daily, giraffes require around 30 kg of food and spend somewhere between sixteen to twenty hours looking for food. Giraffes sleep only for a very short period, about one hour a day. The liquid requirement is covered, mainly, due to the food, which allows the giraffe to manage without water for over a week. When the giraffe drinks water, it can drink up to 38 liters of water in a single go. While drinking water, the giraffe is compelled to move the front legs wide apart so as to lower the head sufficiently. In this pose, the giraffe being slow is especially vulnerable to predators and therefore the giraffe drinks water only when it is convinced that there is no danger. In the same way, the giraffe collects food from the ground and this happens only when it is hungry.
Widespread opinion prevails that the giraffes are voiceless animals. Actually, the giraffes communicate between themselves at frequencies of less than 20 Hz, which are not audible to human beings.
The mating period usually lasts from July to September and the gestation period takes 14-15 months. As a rule, only one calf is born. Giraffes give birth in a standing position and hence, the new-born calf has to fall from a 2m height. Immediately after the birth, the new-born calf is 1.8 m tall and weighs 50 kg. Within an hour of birth, the new-born calf stands upright on its legs and within a few hours, it starts to run. However, the calves are allowed into herds only after two to three weeks. The young giraffe remains with the mother for about one and a half years. At the age of four, the giraffe attains sexual maturity and at six, it grows into a full-grown giraffe. In the wild, the life expectancy is about 25 years and in national reserves the life expectancy touches 35. |
