Giraffe

Where can I see the Giraffe

Photo credit
Newts
,

Giraffes are one of the most iconic animals on the planet, and can be found in many habitats across Africa. They range from around 4.5 to 5.5 metres tall when standing on all fours. Their necks alone can be up to 2 metres long, making them one of the tallest mammals on Earth!

Giraffes have long necks that give them a lot of advantages. They use their height to see predators like lions before they attack. It also helps them get leaves from trees which is what giraffes eat. Giraffes drink water by scooping it up with their tongue. If a predator does attack, giraffes kick them with their strong hooves or slam into them with their head or horns to protect themselves. Their kick can kill a lion.

The giraffe's spots are unique to each giraffe, which makes it easy for them to recognize each other. Males have dark patches with a patchwork of white hairs in between. Females have much lighter patches that fade into a creamy yellow colour. Male and female giraffes distinguish each other easily by their pattern of spots. The tuft on the end of a giraffe's tail is used for balance when they move around in trees. Since there are no leaves in trees, the tuft has nothing to grab onto so it helps keep them balanced when moving around. When males get older, their necks thicken and turn brown like an upside down heart shape; however females never get this thick or brown coloring even when they are old.

Animal population
97,500
Population
IUCN Classification
Vulnerable (VU)
IUCN Classification
Best time to see the Giraffe
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Perfect
Good
Tolerable
Awful

Geeky Facts about the Giraffe

Fact 1

They spend most of their time eating, and can guzzle up to 45kg of leaves and twigs a day.

Fact 2

Giraffe are already extinct in at least seven countries in Africa.

Fact 3

Just like human fingerprints, no two giraffe have the same coat pattern.

Tours where I can see the Giraffe

Kenya Safari
Kenya Safari

Kenya Safari

location icon
Kenya
Tour Type
Small group
Activity Level
1 - Easy

4 days from

£995 / person

View trip
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro

location icon
Tanzania
Tour Type
Small group
Activity Level
1 - Easy

5 days from

£1,175 / person

View trip

Stories about the Giraffe

No items found.
Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining