Giraffes are amazing. Despite our love of these beautiful and sensitive creatures, they are facing extinction in the wild.
Animal Profile
Lifespan
Giraffes can live up to 25 years.
Height
The giraffe is the tallest mammal on earth and can grow to be up to six metres tall.
Ossicones
Giraffes evolved from an early deer species and the small horns on their heads used to be antlers. These horns are called ossicones and made from bone, rather than cartilage.
Neck
Like humans, giraffes have seven vertebrae in their necks, although theirs are much longer! Males will fight with their necks to impress the females.
Tongue
A giraffe’s tongue is an unusual blue colour and can measure up to 50 cm long! They use their tongues for ripping leaves off of trees.
Giraffes in trouble
The population of giraffes in the wild have decreased significantly in the past few decades and are considered at high risk of extinction. Several subspecies are critically endangered. Giraffes face threats such as habitat loss and poaching.
Did you know?
Like human fingerprints, a giraffe’s spotted pattern is unique to each and no two giraffes have the same pattern.
Standing tall
Giraffes will spend most of their lives standing. They will even sleep and give birth standing up.
Did you know?
Baby giraffes are born with short necks which will grow much longer after birth.
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