Reticulated giraffe

Giraffa reticulata

The giraffe is known for its very long neck. Despite its length, the giraffe also has only seven cervical vertebrae – just like all other mammals.

Red List

Endangered

Breeding programme

A giraffe eats up to 34 kg of leaves a day. Like our cows, giraffes are ruminants and regurgitate their diet to chew it again.

When a giraffe bends down to drink, it has to spread its legs wide apart to reach the water. Although it can go without water for up to a month, it drinks whenever the opportunity arises. In doing so, it always exposes itself to the risk of being attacked.

Giraffes communicate using infrasound (below 20 Hz). This means that the sounds they make are inaudible to us humans.

Taxonomy

Giraffidae, giraffes (Giraffa, 4 species)

Habitat

dry bush and tree savannahs, thorny bush steppe, sparse forests and seasonal floodplains.

Social structure

females: inhabit territories in groups, which may overlap; temporary groups of up to 50 animals with traditional, local birthing sites. males: adult males are intolerant of other large males in the centre of their home range; this can lead to fights.

Diet

various leaves with high nutritional value, particularly acacia; thanks to their high nutritional value and efficient digestion, they require only half as much plant material as herbivores.

Habitat at the zoo:

Lewa Savanna