Giraffe: The Tallest Land Animal on Earth
Giraffes are iconic African mammals best known for their extraordinary height, long necks, and unique coat patterns. Graceful yet powerful, giraffes roam savannas and open woodlands, where their height gives them access to food unavailable to other animals. They play an important role in shaping their ecosystems and are admired worldwide for their gentle nature and striking appearance.
Fun Facts
- Giraffes are the tallest land animals, reaching up to 5.5 meters in height.
- Despite their long necks, giraffes have only seven neck vertebrae, the same as humans.
- A giraffe’s tongue can be up to 45 cm long and is dark-colored to prevent sunburn.
- Each giraffe has a unique coat pattern, just like human fingerprints.
- Giraffes sleep very little, often less than 2 hours a day.
- Newborn giraffes can stand and walk within an hour of birth.
- A group of giraffes is sometimes called a tower.
Scientific Information
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Giraffidae
- Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis
- Lifespan: 20–25 years
- Diet: Herbivore (leaves, twigs, flowers—especially acacia trees)
- Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, open woodlands
- Top Speed: Up to 60 km/h
Habits & Behavior of Giraffes
- Giraffes are diurnal, active during the day and resting at night.
- They are generally social but loosely organized, forming temporary groups.
- Male giraffes engage in “necking” battles, swinging their necks to compete for mates.
- Giraffes rely on their excellent eyesight to detect predators from far distances.
- They can go days without drinking water, getting most moisture from leaves.
- Calves stay close to their mothers and grow rapidly in their first year.
