When I saw a giraffe for the first time in my life, it was hard for me not to admire its unique appearance – the long and thin legs, the stylish orange fur and the high and impressive neck built for tusks. This wonderful and special appearance has made the giraffe over the years one of the most iconic animals in nature, and its character has been starring for generations in movies, series, toys and our children’s books. So as a tribute to one of the beloved animals here are 14 interesting facts about giraffes that you may not have known and that you will surely be happy to know.
1. Giraffes are the tallest mammal in nature.
Male giraffes may exceed 5.5 meters (18 feet) in height and female giraffes may reach about 4.5 meters (about 14 feet). Giraffes grow to nearly their full height by age four. Their legs alone reach a height of about 182 cm at an adult age, which is taller than many, many humans in the world.
2. The neck of the giraffes is relatively short for their body.
The neck of the giraffe is really long but in relation to its body it is relatively short and they have difficulty reaching the ground. Therefore, every time they want to sip water from the river, they have to spread their legs and bend their knees to reach it.
3. Giraffes do not need to drink water every day.
Giraffes obtain most water from their food, though in the dry season they drink at least every three days. They consume most of their fluids through the plants they eat, so they only need water once every few days.
4. Giraffes spend most of their lives standing.
Giraffe often rest while standing up they even sleep and give birth standing up.
When lying down, they fold their legs under their body, but mostly keeping their necks held high only for very short periods of normally not more than 5 minutes, giraffe can sleep with their head resting back on their rump. This is an extremely exposed and vulnerable position, hence this is only seen rarely and for short periods of time.
5. Each giraffe has a different pattern and spots on their fur.
Just like human fingerprints – all giraffes have a different pattern of dots and spots on their fur.
6. Males giraffe horns are larger then females
Giraffes, both male and female, boast a pair of horns on their heads – but the males’ horns are larger, and during their lifetime they may even reproduce due to the calcium in their bodies, which cause the growth of up to 3 additional horn-like protrusions.
7. Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep a day.
Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep a day, and they usually do this by taking short naps during the day, each lasting between one and two minutes.
8. The giraffe is not a quiet animal as you think
Giraffes were once believed to be completely mute. But despite the quiet nature, many of them make growls, grunts and even hissing sounds. Sometimes, the giraffe makes sounds that humans cannot hear at all.
9. Giraffes have only four species.
Spotted Giraffe, Southern Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe and Masai Giraffe. In the past it was thought that it was one species and between 6 and 9 subspecies, but in a study published in 2007 it was discovered that some of them do not breed with each other, therefore according to the criteria they are classified as different species.
10. Giraffes have big hearts
The giraffe’s heart reaches a weight of about 10 kg and a length of about 60 cm, and it must provide blood pressure at a level twice as high as that of an average large mammal.
11. Giraffes walk at a slow pace, but can reach a speed of about 65 km/h when in danger.
When in walking mode, their two left legs move together but separately from their right, but in running mode, the front pair of legs move separately from the hind legs.
12. Giraffes have a large tongue that can reach 53 cm
The giraffe’s tongue is rough and has shades of blue and purple, and is able to reach a length of 53 cm. With it, they manage to reach the leaves that are in the tops of the trees as well as clean their faces of insects.
13. The height of the baby giraffe at birth ranges from 180 cm to 2 meters
Birth of baby giraffe typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, ending with the newborn dropping.
The height of the baby giraffe at birth ranges from 180 cm to 2 meters and no more than 20 minutes pass on average until it stands on its feet, and no more than a few hours until it starts running enthusiastically.
