Class: MAMMALIA

Order: ARTIODACTYLA

Family: GIRAFFIDAE

Genus: GIRAFFA

The tallest living mammal, and animal, on Earth. Long classified as a species, G. Cameleopardalis, with nine or so subspecies, it appears that there have risen a number of different classification systems, to classify giraffes, with as many as eight or so possible species. All giraffes are found in areas of Central and South Africa, with a similar body plan, but differences in patterning and and build.

By looking at the closest living relative of the giraffe, the okapi, we can get an idea of how the giraffe's ancestors may have looked. Samotherium is seemingly a powerful example of such a transitional form, in that it is found that its neck was at an 'intermediate' length between okapis and modern giraffes. Remains of other giraffoids, in some cases short and stubby like okapis, and in other cases more like giraffes, show how the giraffe evolved to stretch upwards.

The elusive okapi is built more like a fattish horse than a giraffe. Perhaps the giraffe's ancestors looked similar.

Although the most popular theory by far is that the neck evolved to reach tall trees, and this would certainly be a good cause, as it would fend off competition, it's possible that this is not all the worth of the neck. Others believe that the giraffe's neck is just as good for sexual selection as it is for eating from trees, and perhaps females are attracted to longer necks. A long neck also makes for good child-care, as it enables the animal to watch their child from an enhanced view. The giraffe's neck is also versatile to a number of different plant material, in that whilst the main food of the giraffe is leaves of the tree, it also eats, at times, plants lower to the ground.

The neck muscles in a giraffe work not to keep its head up, but to bring its head down. It appears that this giraffe is going to eat the grass on the ground - a display of its neck's versatility..

All giraffe patterns work as fine camouflage, and being herd animals, it helps to recognise various members of the herd.

The most striking feature of the giraffe's anatomy is the long neck of the giraffe. Like all other mammals, the giraffe's neck bones are seven in number. The legs of the giraffe too are relatively long, the legs alone standing taller than most humans. The legs, however, are very thin, and so to support the bulk and weight of the giraffe's body, there is a groove in the lower leg bones, which supports a vital ligament. All giraffes sport a form of patterning on their hide, with different populations having somewhat different shapes. The Giraffe's tongue is dark blue, to prevent sunburn of the tongue, and the tongue and lips are thick, as so to eat the thorns of the leaves without much trouble. On the top of the head are two cartiligous ossicones, used in combat. Similarly to humans, and other primates, a giraffe's teeth are 32 in number, though unlike the teeth of other herbivores, these teeth are less wide, making for a less wide skull. In the giraffe's skull, most teeth are to be found at the back of the mouth.

A giraffe's strong and thick lips make for easy work at thorny branches that may deter other animals.

The giraffe is typically placid, but is known to be aggressive towards predators. On the savannah, the lion may sometimes attempt, occasionally successfully, to take on a giraffe, but mostly the calves are at risk. The leg of the giraffe is powerful, and a single kick can kill many predators. Like elephants, the giraffe has shown emotional capability, in that giraffe cows can start affections that may last for years, as well as grieving if a calf falls to a lion. For years, it appears that the sociology of the giraffe was rather underlooked, but a number of giraffe researchers are now trying to change this. The male bulls, in competition for a female, will have a vertical posture, with musculature visible, hardened ossicones, and the forehead too thickens. In the absence of a larger bull, the male giraffe will act as the leading male in the area, but in the presence of a larger bull, the giraffe will avoid competition. To avoid tripping over, the giraffe walks in a different method to most other quadrupedal mammals, in that the left legs move in conjunction with the right legs. Giraffe bulls practice 'necking', where the necks of two bulls collide with each other, and the winner is the one with his 'head held high' at the end. After successful mating, the giraffe's gestation of 15 months will result in a small giraffe calf, but still relatively tall. These calves will perhaps be born at a 'calving ground', typically the same place used numerous times, as a sort of 'tradition' amongst generations. The bull plays no part in raising offspring. Calved mothers tend to socialise, whilst a single cow will watch a number of calves in a 'nursery'. The calves are usually playful with each other, and the adult cow watches the calves to keep them safe. It is commonly thought that the giraffe is a silent creature. Indeed, the giraffe produces just scant grunts and snorts mostly, but is capable of roaring, or mooing like a cow. The young too will roar, mew and bleat. However, most communication amongst adults is below the hearing range of humans.

As an 'awkward'-looking animal, the giraffe has become a sort of icon, common amongst soft toys, children's books, and cartoons. In scenes of Africa in fiction, it is not unusual to see a giraffe as 'Savannah scenery'. The giraffe has also become a staple of zoos, as it has been since the earliest zoos of some 5,000 years ago. It's possible that wealthy owners of menageries, of Ancient times, would have kept the giraffe as to symbolise their status. The first giraffe to be seen in Europe arrived in Rome in 46 BC, and was kept by Julius Caesar. More giraffes would be imported into Rome with the expansion of the Roman Empire, but the Romans, upon seeing the placid nature of the giraffe, decided that they would be no good for gladiatorial battles, and were mainly kept as exhibition. When the Empire fell, the giraffe disappeared from Europe. It would be some 815 years before the giraffe was seen in Europe again, this time as a present to King Fredrick II. The first giraffe to arrive to the UK came there in 1805, but only lived for three weeks. However, the giraffe would soon become a more general animal to Europe, and would soon become valuable to zoos. In 1826, King Charles X of France was gifted from Egypt a giraffe named 'Zarafa', which means 'charming' in Arabic. The King was very fond of 'Zarafa', as were the people of France, as they had never seen a giraffe before. Of course, as a charismatic animal, the giraffe continues to be a popular attraction of zoos today, with some 800 in European captivity. They are however expensive to transport safely, though they breed relatively easily in a basic captive environment. Giraffe readily eat pellets and hay, but it is recommended that there is to be as much browse available as possible. Fruit and vegetables may be given occasionally, usually as a training reward. In a captive setting, the giraffe mixes well with other hoofstock, which makes the giraffe possibly a good use of such space. As giraffes are popular, feeding-platforms for captive giraffes provide a good source of funds for donating to giraffe conservation. A typical zoo giraffe herd may have a number of females with a single male bull, or maybe no bull at all. Outside of the zoo, the giraffe is popular even in a natural environment - as the species works as a great lure for eco-tourism of the Savannah.

In recent years, attention has been brought to the declining numbers of giraffe in the wild, with less than 70,000 remaining. There are various reasons of this, such has destruction of habitat, and poaching. In some areas, the giraffe has declined by some 95%.

Please note that the Wenden Animal Encyclopaedia is not directly affiliated with any of the links below, and thus is not responsible for any content they may provide, or the accuracy of such content.

giraffeconservation.org - Giraffe Conservation Foundation