- There are four distinct giraffe species: the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), and southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa).
- Sadly, giraffe are already extinct in at least seven African countries.
- There are only approximately 117,000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa.
- Just like human fingerprints, each giraffe has a unique coat pattern.
- Giraffe feet are surprisingly large, with a diameter of 30 cm, comparable to the size of a dinner plate.
- The giraffe’s tongue is bluish-purple and measures between 45 and 50 cm in length.
- Both male and female giraffe are born with horn-like protrusions called ossicones, initially lying flat and unattached to the skull to prevent injury during birth and later fused to the skull as the giraffe matures.
- The giraffe holds the distinction of being the world’s tallest mammal, with even newborn giraffe surpassing the height of most humans.
- Female giraffe give birth while standing, with their young dropping about 2 meters to the ground. Remarkably, within an hour of birth, these calves can stand on their own.
- Giraffe have a unique challenge when it comes to drinking. Their necks are too short to reach the ground, so they must splay their forelegs and/or bend their knees to lower their necks to the water’s surface.
- Giraffe surprisingly drink only once every few days, even when water is readily available. Evidence suggests that many giraffe do not drink regularly, and sometimes not at all.
- To protect the giraffe’s brain from sudden changes in blood pressure while drinking, its jugular veins have elastic walls and large one-way valves. These adaptations allow the veins to expand significantly and prevent blood from flowing back to the brain when the giraffe’s head is lowered.
- Giraffe have evolved remarkable adaptations to manage blood circulation in their long necks and legs. Their blood vessels are thick-walled and muscular, and the skin on their legs is so tight that it acts like giant compression socks, helping to fight gravity and return blood to the heart. These unique features have inspired scientists at NASA in designing human space suits.
- The giraffe’s heart, weighing approximately 11 kilograms, has a much thicker muscle on its left side compared to other mammals. This adaptation allows the heart to generate enough force to pump blood against gravity throughout the giraffe’s long body.
Did you know?
For every four elephant, only one giraffe remains in the wild in Africa.
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. Our work includes multiple giraffe conservation projects across Africa, including the return of many giraffe to their original habitat.
Adopt-a-Giraffe
About GCF
