Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)

What do I eat?

Giraffe are browsers, eating mainly leaves. They feed from up to 93 different plant species, but often prefer to forage (look for food) in acacia trees. Giraffe do not need to drink water every day. They can survive for a long time without drinking because they get their water from their food and dew on the plants.

Where do I live?

Giraffe are found in many countries in southern and eastern Africa, and in smaller populations in west and central Africa. The Rothschild's subspecies are found in south Sudan, north Uganda and west Kenya. They live mainly in savannah and woodland habitats.

Breeding

Giraffe are able to breed from about 4 years old. Their pregnancies last for 15 months. Newborn giraffes weigh about 100kg, are about 180cm tall and nearly double in height in their first year! Giraffe calves are ready to stand and suckle within an hour of being born. They are usually weaned by 12 months old, but can start eating solid food from a few weeks of age. Females with calves may get together and form a nursery. This means the mothers can take turns to feed while the calves play together.

Predators

Young giraffe are known to be hunted by lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs. Adult giraffe, with their strong legs and hooves, are capable of killing predators such as lions.

Giraffe can spot predators from up to a kilometre away, thanks to their long necks and excellent eyesight. Giraffe are often seen with other savannah species such as zebra and wildebeest, which may use them as an early warning system to detect danger.

Conservation

Giraffe face a number of threats in the wild. These include habitat loss; civil unrest (such as ethnic violence and armed conflict) and illegal hunting for their meat and hide. 

Efforts to conserve these giraffe include long term studies of their numbers, distribution and ecology, as well as moving giraffe to new areas to increase their range.