giraffes

Giraffes (genus Giraffa) are the tallest living land animals and are native to Africa. They belong to the family Giraffidae and occur in savannas, woodlands, and open forests across sub-Saharan Africa. Adult giraffes range in height from about 4.3 to 5.5 meters, with males typically taller than females. They have long necks and legs, with seven elongated cervical vertebrae; the skull bears two bony protrusions called ossicones. Their coat features irregular patches of brown or chestnut on a lighter background; patterning varies by subspecies and individual and provides camouflage in dappled light.

Giraffes are herbivores and primarily browse foliage from trees, with a preference for acacias. Their tongues are long and prehensile, aiding in leaf-picking and bark-feeding; they can reach high into trees and also feed at ground level. They are ruminants and periodically regurgitate and re-chew food.

Socially, giraffes form loose, open herds with no fixed composition; males may become bachelor groups or fight for mating opportunities using necking. A female's gestation lasts about 15 months, and calves are born after long pregnancies at around 1.8 meters tall; they can stand within minutes and nurse soon after birth. Calves are vulnerable to predators, especially in the first months, and social groups help protect young.

Adaptations to their height include a large, powerful heart and high blood pressure to pump blood to the brain, supported by a network of vessels in the neck called the rete mirabile that helps regulate flow when the head is lowered or raised.

Conservation status varies by region, with habitat loss and illegal hunting as major threats. Giraffes are protected in many reserves and zoo populations help maintain genetic diversity.