Their hearts weigh almost two stones, their necks grow to six feet and they communicate on an ultrasound level. Giraffes are one of the most unique species on earth...
Giraffe Fact #1
The tallest land mammals - giraffes are six feet tall at birth and males can grow up to 18 feet in height with a neck length of six feet. A baby giraffe (calf) drops head first to the ground from a height of about six feet at birth, which causes it to take its first big breath. Newborns are up and walking around after about one hour.
Giraffe Fact #2
There is only one species of giraffe, with nine subspecies recognised by their different patterns. Their name (Giraffa Camelopardalis) means 'one who walks swiftly, a camel marked like a leopard'. Like camels, giraffes have a (small) hump on their backs and can go without drinking water for long periods due to their succulent diet of Acacia leaves, but this is where the similarity ends.
Giraffe Fact #3
Giraffes are big hearted creatures - quite literally. They need their 26lb heart and high blood pressure to stop them fainting when they raise their heads from ground level.
Giraffe Fact #4
The tongue of a giraffe is blue-black in colour (to avoid sunburn) and can be as long as 18 inches. It is also very tough and seems impervious to the vicious thorns on the foliage they eat.
Giraffe Fact #5
Many cultures have honoured the giraffe. They have been depicted in African cave paintings and ancient Egyptian art. Whilst not hunted in large numbers, there is still some poaching. Giraffe tail hairs are used to make jewellery and hide is used to make sandals. The burning skin of a giraffe is used to treat nose-bleeds among some tribes.
Giraffe Fact #6
Historically, giraffes were thought to be mute. Whilst generally quiet, recent research has shown that they bleat, grunt, snort, and communicate at an infrasound level.
Giraffe Fact #7
Giraffes spend most of their day eating, needing up to 34 kilograms of food per day to fuel their massive size. They produce thick saliva which coats any thorns in preparation for swallowing. Adult giraffes are too large for most predators but the young can fall prey to lions, leopards and hyenas. Up to half of all giraffe calves never reach adulthood.
Giraffe Fact #8
The average lifespan of a giraffe is 25. This increases to 28 for giraffes in captivity. The gesticulation period is 15 months. There are no multi births; females give birth to one giraffe at a time.
Giraffe Fact #9
Just as no two humans have the same fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same pattern of spots.
Giraffe Fact #10
Giraffes in the wild generally stand up to sleep, because it would take too long for them to get back on their feet should a predator approach.
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