The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. Its specific name refers to its camel-like face and the patches of color on its fur, which bear a vague resemblance to a leopard’s spots. The giraffe is noted for its extremely long neck and legs, as well as its horn-like ossicones.
The giraffe’s scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south, and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands. Their primary food source is acacia leaves, which they can browse at heights that most other herbivores cannot reach.
Giraffes are preyed on by lions, and calves are also targeted by leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs. Adult giraffes do not have strong social bonds, though they do gather in loose aggregations if they happen to be moving in the same general direction.
Males establish social hierarchies through “necking”, which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. Dominant males gain mating access to females, who bear the sole responsibility for raising the young.
The giraffe has intrigued various cultures, both ancient and modern, for its peculiar appearance, and has often been featured in paintings, books and cartoons. Nevertheless, giraffes are still found in numerous national parks and game reserves.
With its gorgeous, large and round eyes, the giraffe looks like a dressed up to the nine’s lady. To verify this “theory”, I request everyone to take a look at the following collection of beautiful photos of giraffes and baby giraffes and their natural environments.
