Section navigation: Learning Experiences

Home / Learning Experiences / Animal Profiles / Giraffe

Giraffe

The Giraffe lives in the African savannah. The open woodlands and grasslands of East Africa, particularly in Uganda, Sudan and Kenya are home to the Rothschild's Giraffe. There are 9 subspecies of Giraffe, and all subspecies of giraffe have a characteristic walk, moving the legs on the same side of the body simultaneously. The subspecies are are dinstingusihed from each other by their coat patterns and geographical locations.

Giraffes are nearly 2m in height when born and males can reach a height of over 5m when fully grown. Excellent eyesight and a good sense of hearing are features of all of the Giraffe subspecies. An animal can see a human that is standing 2km away. When it is alarmed it may snort or grunt and it can run at a speed of 60km/h if it is being pursued. In order to defend itself the Giraffe will kick vigorously with its front legs.

Acacia leaves form the bulk of the Giraffe’s diet, but other trees are also browsed. A male, or bull, can eat up to 80kg of leaves each day, along with bark and fruit.

Poaching for the Giraffe’s pelt, meat and tail has significantly reduced the wild population. The hair that grows at the end of the tail is used for threading beads and making bracelets.