Giraffes (genus Giraffa) are large African hoofed mammals. They are the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largest ruminants on Earth. They are classified under the family Giraffidae, along with their closest extant relative, the okapi.
With their long napes and lanky legs, giraffes are literally head and shoulders above the rest – towering over the arid African savannahs, they are the tallest mammals roaming the Earth.
Giraffes are large African ruminant mammals in the genus Giraffa, characterized by extreme neck and leg length and a browsing lifestyle primarily on tree foliage (notably acacias).
Giraffes are the world’s tallest living land animals – adult males can grow to around 5.5m. Giraffes can survive for 2-3 days without drinking water because they get their water from their food and dew on the plants. Giraffes can reach a speed of 60km/hour at gallop over a short distance, and 50km/hour over a longer distance.
Male giraffes spend about 22% of the 24 hours walking, compared to 13% for female giraffes. The rest of the time male giraffes are searching for a female giraffe to mate with. Giraffe herds do not have a leader and individual giraffes show no particular preferences for others in the herd.
They are the world’s tallest mammals. They are uniquely adapted to reach vegetation inaccessible to other herbivores. Unusually elastic blood vessels and uniquely adapted valves help offset the sudden buildup of blood (to prevent fainting) when giraffes’ heads are raised, lowered, or swung quickly.
Giraffes are the tallest land animals. Learn more about these unique animals, the role they play in their ecosystem, & how to help protect them in the wild