User:Xxagile/AfricanAnimals/Giraffe

Map showing location of Giraffe's

What does it look like?

The Giraffe is the tallest of all of the land animals. Males can be 4.8 to 5.5 meters (16 to 19 feet) tall and weigh up to 1,700 kilograms (3,800 pounds). Females are slightly shorter, and weigh less than the males do. A baby giraffe weighs about 130 pounds at birth and is about 6 feet tall. Giraffes have spots covering their entire bodies, except their underbellies. Every giraffe has a unique set of spots. The front legs of a Giraffe are slightly longer than the rear legs. Giraffes have long necks, which they use to browse the leaves of trees. On their necks they have a short brown mane. They also have small horns on the top of their heads. The horns can grow to be five inches long and are used to protect the Giraffe's head when they are in a fight. Male giraffe's have horns with no hair, and female giraffe's have tufts of hair on the top of their horns.

An angolan giraffe

Where does it live?

Giraffes live in the savannas of Africa, where they roam freely among the tall trees, dry land, forests and open plains. Giraffe's are usually seen in groups.

What does it eat?

The giraffe is a herbivore, which means it eats no meat. Giraffe's eat the leaves of trees and sometimes other vegetables. They don't really drink a lot of water from a lake or stream because they have to spread their legs and kneel down. That places them in a dangerous position because they can't see if predators are coming. They get most of their water from the moisture of the leaves. A giraffe can eat 63 kg (140 lbs) of leaves and twigs daily.

How does it defend itself?

Because of the Giraffe's long necks they can see predators from a long distance away. Giraffes are also fast and can run up to 35 mph (56 kph) for short bursts. Giraffe's will raise their front legs or hit their enemy with their long necks if the predator gets too close to them.