GIRAFFE

The Giraffe (Giraffa giraffe giraffa) is the tallest land animal, characterised by its long neck, long legs, and distinctive coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. It has large expressive eyes, are herbivorous, primarily feeding on leaves and buds from tall trees, especially thorn trees, using their long tongues to reach high foliage.

Distribution: Giraffes are across sub-Saharan Africa.

Size: Some individuals reaching heights of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters).          

Weight: 2,140 – 3,075lb / 970 – 1,395 kg

Height: 16 – 18ft / 4, 87 – 5, 48 m

Horns: Giraffes do not have horns; instead, they have ossicones. Both males and females have ossicones, bony protuberances on the head and covered with skin and fur. 

Habitat: Open woodlands to dry savannah. 

Habits: They are primarily diurnal, feeding on leaves and buds from tall trees during the day. They are social animals, often forming loose herds. Giraffes use their long necks to browse at various heights, and they can go without water for long periods by obtaining moisture from their food. Despite their size, they are agile and can run at speeds up to 37 miles per hour (60 km/h) over short distances.

Hunting Tips: The best time to hunt them is early in the day as skinning can be a long and tedious procedure. Wait for them to move into an area that makes for easy recovery.  

Species & Subspecies Information

Species: 4 – Northern Giraffe, Southern Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe and Masai Giraffe. 

Subspecies: 2 – Common Southern Giraffe or South African Giraffe and the Angolan Giraffe.