Giraffe

Tallest Animal

Features

Giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals, reaching heights of 14–19 feet (5.5m+), characterized by exceptionally long necks and legs, unique, fingerprint-like coat patterns, and dark, 19–20 inch prehensile tongues used for foraging. Native to African savannas, they possess specialized cardiovascular systems to pump blood up their necks and live in social groups.

foods

Giraffes are herbivores and specialized browsers that primarily eat leaves, buds, and twigs, with a strong preference for acacia tree foliage. They use their long, prehensile tongues and tall height to graze on high canopy vegetation, consuming up to 30–75 pounds of food dail.

sleep

Giraffes have one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal, averaging only 30 minutes to 4 hours per day, often in short, 1-to-5-minute bursts. To stay safe from predators, they usually sleep standing up, but will occasionally lie down for deeper REM sleep, curving their necks to rest their heads on their hindquarters.

Species

There are four species of Giraffe:

• Northern giraffe,
• reticulated giraffe,
• :Masai giraffe,
• and the southern giraffe,