Where are they found?
They are found in the African savannah, scrub, and open acacia woodlands south of the Sahara.

What are they?
They are mammals.

What do they look like?
The height of a Giraffe (to the top of the head) in new-borns averages 1.8m (6 ft.) and in adults ranges from 4.25 - 5.5m (14-18 ft.). The adult males weigh 1,100 - 1,915 kg (2,420 - 4,215 lb.) Whereas adult females weigh 700 - 1,181 kg (1,540 - 2600 lb.). It has a white to cream background colour with light brown to almost black spots within a lattice pattern. Long-legged giraffes walk with the limbs on one side of the body lifted at the same time. This allows a longer stride, which saves steps and energy.

How long do they live? Giraffes live 20 to 25 years. What do they eat? The Giraffe is a selective browser. It prefers the new growth foliage of acacia and mimosa brush 2 to 5m (6.6-16.5 ft.) high, but also feeds on over 100 plant species. Their choice is determined by the seasons and what is available although their shape prevents them from grazing directly from the ground.

Breeding
The male Giraffe matures at about 3.5 years but usually won't breed until he reaches 8 years old. The females mature at 4 to 5 years old and spend 450 to 465 days gestating.

Are they rare?
The Giraffe is currently not protected, except within National Parks. It runs some risk of becoming scarce.

Did you know?
Giraffes strip leaves from thorny acacia trees, sometimes colonised by ants, with their 45 cm (18 in.) long, prehensile tongues.

The mother Giraffe gives birth while standing so that the newborn's first experience of the world is a 1.8m (6 ft.) drop.