| Ancient cultures in Africa revered the giraffe, as | | | | one side forward at the same time. |
| some modern cultures do today, and commonly | | | | At a gallop, however, the gait changes, and the |
| depicted it in prehistoric rock and cave paintings. | | | | giraffe simultaneously swings the hind legs ahead |
| Unknown outside of Africa, early written records | | | | of and outside the front legs, reaching speeds of |
| described the giraffe as "magnificent in | | | | 35 miles an hour. Its heavy head moves forward |
| appearance, bizarre in form, unique in gait, colossal | | | | with each powerful stride, then swings back to |
| in height and inoffensive in character." | | | | stay balanced. Giraffes have "horns" not true |
| The Giraffe [Giraffa Camelopardalis] moves about | | | | horns but knobs covered with skin and hair above |
| the semi-arid regions in groups. Its height allows it | | | | the eyes to protect the head from blows |
| to keep in contact with other giraffes over large | | | | The giraffes size is 5.2 meters head height. |
| distances as well as spotting predators from afar. | | | | The giraffes weight up to 1,400 kg. |
| It is not uncommon to see other animals following | | | | The lifespan is 28 years. |
| a giraffe using it as an early predator warning | | | | The giraffes predators are humans and wild dogs. |
| system. The Giraffe is vulnerable when drinking. It | | | | The giraffe is a herbivore browsers. When |
| is a quiet species although the males fight viciously | | | | protected, giraffes can flourish in areas where |
| for dominance over the group. | | | | food is abundant year round. Although they drink |
| The neck is so long the giraffe must spread its | | | | water when it's available, they can survive where |
| front legs apart so its head can reach the ground | | | | it is scarce. They occasionally eat grass and fruits |
| to drink. It has unusually elastic blood vessels with | | | | of various trees and shrubs, but their principal |
| a series of valves that help offset the sudden | | | | food source is the acacia tree. |
| buildup of blood (and to prevent fainting) when | | | | The habitat where the giraffe is dry savannah |
| the head is raised, lowered or swung quickly. | | | | woodland. Giraffes are found in arid and |
| The giraffe's high shoulders and sloping back give | | | | dry-savanna zones south of the Sahara, |
| the impression that its front legs are much longer | | | | wherever trees occur. |
| than the hind legs, but they are in fact only slightly | | | | The reproduction of the giraffe is as follows: |
| longer. The giraffe (as well as its short-necked | | | | Single young is born any time of the year. |
| relative the okapi from Central African forests) | | | | Gestation period 15 months. |
| has a distinctive walking gait, moving both legs on | | | | See this only in Africa in the wild. |