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Giraffes are the tallest animal on Earth. They are not currently endangered, but their numbers are decreasing rapidly because of hunters and loss of habitat. They have 7 vertebrates, just like humans, but because their necks are so long the discs are elongated.

Behavior

Male Giraffes will fight each other for females. Giraffes travel in loose herds of 30-40. Older male Giraffes will usually travel alone and look for herds of females. An old male will lead the herd, but females lead when herds are on the move. Giraffes usually only sleep about 20 minutes a day because they are very vulnerable when they are lying down.


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Life cycle & Reproduction

Females usually give birth to one baby from May-August, the dry season, after a gestation period of 15 months. A baby giraffe is called a calf. When the calf is born it can be up to 6.5 ft tall! The calves stay with their mother for about a year and half, then go out on their own.

Diet

Giraffes are herbivores. They can flourish in areas where food is abundant year round. They drink water when it's available, but they can survive where it is scarce. Giraffes occasionally eat grass and fruits of various trees and shrubs, but their main food source is the acacia tree.

Habitat

Giraffes live in savannas and open woodlands. Geographically they are located mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.