Facts about Giraffes: Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet and Lifespan

Giraffes are long necked herbivorous animals that are native to the Savannas of Africa. These astonishing hoofed mammals can grow up to 5.5 meters of height and have some amazing features. In this article we will learn some interesting facts about giraffes, their unique characteristics, habitats and diet. 

Table of Contents

• What is a Giraffe
• Physical Characteristics of Giraffes
• Where do Giraffes Live
• What do Giraffes Eat
• Fun Facts about Giraffes
• Lifespan of Giraffes

What is a Giraffe 

A giraffe is the tallest living terrestrial animal with long legs and non-symmetrical brown patches all over its body. They are among the most gentle animals that spend most of their time eating, resting and walking in groups. Giraffes live for around 20-25 years and are found in grasslands and woodlands. Let’s learn more about their physical characteristics and behavioural traits.

Physical Characteristics of Giraffes 

Height: With elongated neck and legs giraffes can grow up to 16 to 18 feet tall. Female giraffes are slightly shorter than the male giraffes.

Weight: Giraffes are tall and heavy with an average weight of 1930 kgs. Female giraffes are slightly lighter than male giraffes with weight around 1,180 kgs.

Skin and Colour: With spotted coat patterns on its skin, giraffes are brown and beige in colour. The spotted pattern on the coat of each giraffe is unique and different from the other making them distinctive from each other. 

Eyesand Ears: Big eyes with long thick eyelashes to prevent sand from getting inside them. Giraffe has excellent eye sight and hearing powers with its ears sticking out from the both sides of its head.

Neck: The most distinctive feature of a giraffe is its long neck that helps it reach higher to eat leaves/twigs on trees. They also have a dark, purple and black tongue which is around 45-50cm long.

Ossicones: These horn-like structures are present on giraffes’ heads and are covered in hair and skin. They protect giraffes’ skulls during fights.

Where do Giraffes Live

Giraffes live in savannas, woodlands and grasslands that are native to Africa. There are around nine subspecies of giraffes that are found in across 21 African countries including Kenya, Niger, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Chad, Zambia and Congo. Climate change, habitat loss and poaching are the main reasons for habitat loss of giraffes. Around 90% of some giraffe subspecies population in certain areas are listed critically endangered. 

What do Giraffes Eat

Giraffes are herbivores and ruminant species that eat roots and leaves preferably from thorny plants called acacia trees. They consume around 65 Kgs of food each day including twigs, leaves and shoots. They eat high energy and low fiber plants and get most of their water from food. In hot weather giraffes eat once in three days and use their lips to grasp food.

Fun Facts about Giraffes

• Giraffes can run up to 60km/hour despite being tall and heavy.
• Some species of giraffes live in semi-dessert and desert regions.
• Their tongues are awkwardly shaped for drinking water and they get most of their hydration from food.
• No two giraffes have the same spot pattern on their coats.
• Giraffes sleep for only two hours a day. They can sleep for a short time while standing up.

Lifespan of Giraffes

The average lifespan of a giraffe is 15-25 years. The female giraffes live longer than male giraffes. The female giraffes attain maturity at the age of four to five years while male giraffes mature at the age of 8 years. The gestation period of a female giraffe is 15 months and the newborn giraffe is 6 feet tall with an average weight of 100 Kgs. The lifespan of a giraffe in captivity is slightly longer than the one in the wild. Most of the giraffes do not reach their average lifespan due to various threats like droughts, predation and competition for food.