Giraffe
In the wild
Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis
Status: Classified as Least Concern
Distribution: Africa, south of the Sahara
Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
At Marwell Wildlife
Giraffes are fed once a day a diet of lucerne and giraffe nuts. Giraffes naturally use their height to reach for browse high up in the treetops. This behaviour is encouraged at Marwell Wildlife as part of an enrichment programme.
Did you know: giraffes are the world's tallest mammals, thanks to their towering legs and long necks. Their tongues are also long, reaching 21 inches in length.
About Giraffes
Because of their great height, giraffes, which are ruminants, are able to browse the uppermost branches of trees. Thus they face little competition from other herbivores. Their great height also gives them the advantage of seeing predators from a distance.
The bull giraffe may reach nearly 6m in height (over 18ft). However, like most mammals, including humans, they only have 7 neck vertebrae, the bones being greatly elongated.
With strong eyesight from an elevated position and good sense of smell, giraffes are often accompanied by zebra and wildebeest which may benefit from the giraffe as an ‘early warning system’.
The main threat is habitat loss and poaching for meat and hides.
Adopt a Giraffe from £50.00
Our General Adoption scheme includes all this:
- A special Adoption Certificate
- Recognition at your adopted animal's home
- A photo of a Giraffe
- A day pass to Marwell Wildlife
- An annual subscription to Marwell News
- Giraffe fact sheet
- Presentation folder
- Access to online Adopters Zone
- Car sticker
Want to help even more? Choose Premium Adoption below!