Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world. Giraffes have long necks that allow them to browse leaves from high branches. Their neck muscles are strong enough to bend their heads back without snapping their necks. Giraffes have 4 toes on each foot instead of 5 like other mammals. These extra toes help giraffes climb trees and browse vegetation. Giraffes eat grass, leaves, twigs, bark, fruit, flowers, herbs, roots, seeds, bulbs, mushrooms, insects, snakes, lizards, birds eggs, carrion, and even small amounts of meat. Giraffes produce milk from mammary glands located between the front legs. This milk consists of water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and immunoglobulins.
Giraffes live in herds of 10-20 individuals. Females and young males stay together while adult males travel alone. Twins are born head first; however, triplets are born tail first. Giraffes are herbivores that eat leaves from trees and shrubs. They have long necks, short legs, and long tongues used for grooming themselves. Their diet consists primarily of bamboo, grasses, and other foliage. Giraffes can reach speeds of 40 mph (64 kph) while running at full speed. Giraffes live in herds of 15-30 animals. Herds range in size from 50-to 300 individuals. Young males usually stay together throughout their lives. Females form separate groups where they raise their young. Groups may consist of only females or include both males and females.
Giraffes have three pairs of eyelids. These eyelids protect the eyes from dust and insects. A giraffe's tongue weighs about 20 pounds (9 kg). It contains over 100 muscles and is covered with tiny hairs that help keep its surface lubricated. Giraffes have 5 toes on each foot. Each toe has two phalanges, two sesamoid bones, and a small bone called a navicular. The navicular helps absorb shock when walking. Giraffes' ears are located near their shoulders. They have four movable earlobes, six movable pinnae, and a flap of skin that covers the opening of the ear canal. This flap allows air to enter the ear canal when the animal breathes. Giraffes are herbivores that eat grass. They have long necks and legs, large ears, and distinctive long eyelashes called ossicones. Giraffes can weigh between 1200-and 2000 pounds (550-900 kg). They can reach a height of 4 meters (13 ft) high at the shoulder and a length of 6 meters (20 ft). A giraffe’s lifespan is about 30 years.
Giraffes live in herds consisting of females and they're young. Males are not usually seen until they are 10 years old. Females give birth once every three years. The gestation period lasts 12 months. Giraffes were originally from Africa but now live throughout the world. There are only two species of giraffes; the Okapi is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo while the reticulated giraffe lives in the savannah regions of Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, and Lesotho. Giraffes are vegetarians who spend much time browsing through trees and shrubs looking for leaves and twigs.
When they find something tasty, they chew it slowly and carefully before swallowing it. Giraffes prefer to browse alone rather than in groups. They move their head back and forth to tear off pieces of foliage and then swallow them whole. Giraffes have short stomachs that allow them to digest food quickly. They do this by having a small intestine and a large colon.
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