The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. Its species name refers to its camel-like shape and its leopard-like colouring.
Fast Facts about Giraffe
1. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth. Their legs alone are taller than many humans—about 6 feet. A giraffe’s 6-foot-long neck weighs about 600 pounds.
2. These long legs allow giraffes to run as fast as 35 miles (56 kilometers) an hour over short distances and cruise comfortably at 10 miles (16 kilometers) an hour over longer distances.
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3. A giraffe’s habitat is usually found in African savannas, grasslands or open woodlands.
4. The distinctive spots that cover a giraffe’s fur act as a good camouflage to protect the giraffe from predators. When the giraffe stands in front of trees and bushes the light and dark colouring of its fur blends in with the shadows and sunlight.
5. When giraffes walk, they move both legs on one side of their body and then both legs on the other side.
6. Giraffes are ruminants. This means that they have more than one stomach. In fact, giraffes have four stomachs, the extra stomachs assisting with digesting food.
7. Giraffes are non-territorial, social animals. They travel in large herds that are not organized in any way. Herds may consist of any combination of sexes or ages.
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8. Giraffes have small “horns” or knobs on top of their heads that grow to be about five inches long. These knobs are used to protect the head in fights.
9. Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up.
10. The lifespan of Giraffe is 20 – 25 years
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