The giraffe is the tallest of all land-living animal species. There are nine
recognized subspecies of giraffe living in this world. The natural habitat of
the giraffe is open woodland and wooded grasslands.
Male giraffes sometimes
reach a height of nearly 16 to 18 feet and weighs up to a maximum weight of 3000
pounds. Females are generally slightly shorter and weigh less then a male do.
Newborns giraffes are 18 meters tall. Giraffes have an extraordinary power of
vision. Both male and female Giraffe often have two short horns although female
has shorter horns in compare to a male.
The giraffe is a plant eater animal.
With its great height and long neck, it can reach the leaves at the top of the
trees. They are capable of eating up to 63 kilograms of leaves and twigs daily.
Giraffes are thought to be silent. However, although generally quiet, they have
been heard to make various sounds. A giraffe's heart weighs up to 10 kg and measure
about 2 feet long.
Humans have rapidly hunted the giraffe for its hair;
meat and thick hide which makes excellent leather. The giraffe has disappeared
from some parts of its African habitat because of hunting and the destruction
of its habitat. In all over Africa the population of giraffes is estimated to
be 110,000 to 150,000. It is now protected inside game parks.
