Looking at pretty photo’s of Giraffe’s taken from my visit to Kruger National Park (S. Africa). Lean, lanky, affectionate, elegant, endearing! Love it’s eyes, luscious eyelashes! An evolutionary marvel, Arabic word Zarafa (one who walks swiftly).
Native to Africa, Giraffe’s roam sub-Saharan region. Habitat is open savannah’s, grassland’s to wander freely. As a herd, these herbivores migrate to areas rich in shrubs, deciduous trees. Live in warm, dry, wet season’s. Adapt to changes by consuming different leaves, twigs (Acacia is favourite).
Sadly, numbers are declining due to poaching, habitat loss. Giraffe population in Africa dropped by 40%. Preyed by Lions, Hyenas, Leopards, Wild Dogs. Only 20% baby Giraffe’s make it as adults. Recently added to Endangered Species List. Grow up to 19 feet tall.
4 distinct Giraffe species – Southern Giraffe, Masai Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe, Northern Giraffe. Sub-species – Angolan Giraffe, Nubian Giraffe, West African Giraffe, Rothschild Giraffe, Kordofan Giraffe. Earliest Giraffid, Palaeotragus, lived 20 million years ago.
Giraffe’s neck length’s up to 6 feet. Huge, hot air balloon lungs, 8 times size of human’s. It’s heart is 50 times a human heart. A small bird called Oxpecker is an unlikely friend of Giraffe’s!