During early times, the giraffe was considered to be an exotic animal, a cross between a leopard and a camel, earning it the scientific name “Giraffa camelopardalis.” So intrigued was man by the sight of this animal that it was exchanged as diplomatic gifts between different countries. In early records, a giraffe is described as being “magnificent in appearance, bizarre in form, unique in gait, colossal in height and inoffensive in character.” That just about sums up this animal beautifully.
The giraffe is the tallest living animal, and is found in arid and dry-savanna zones south of the Sahara, wherever there are trees in plenty. Apart from its size and distinctive pattern, there is one other remarkable feature in this animal – its gait. It moves both right legs forward, and then both left. However, when galloping, it simultaneously swings the hind legs ahead of and outside the front legs, and is capable of reaching speeds of 35 miles an hour.
The principle food source of a giraffe is the acacia tree, but they do eat grass and fruits of other trees and shrubs. It doesn’t seem to mind the sharp thorns of the tree because of its long, muscular tongue. Giraffes are known to be selective feeders and they can maintain themselves on a meager allowance of 15 pounds of foliage per day. They can also survive several days without water, depending on the moisture of the leaves to stay hydrated.
Even though giraffes are seen to move in groups, they don’t have complex social arrangements like many other animals living on the plains. The giraffe is non-territorial by nature and lives in loose, open herds which have no specific leaders. The only time giraffes enter into a “tiff” with one another is during the mating season, and even then it is neither dangerous nor bloody. Young males intertwine their necks slowly and push each other from side to side, similar in a manner to what we do in arm-wrestling.
Female giraffes usually give birth to one calf at a time. Newborn calves are 6 feet tall and are able to stand on their legs within 20 minutes of being born. During their first week they are guarded very carefully since they cannot defend themselves. While the mothers feed during the day, the calves are left together in nursery groups.
Calves grow quite rapidly, gaining up to an inch every day. Male calves are weaned at about 15 months, while female calves take a little longer. Since young giraffes make for very easy preys, scientists estimate that only 25% of the infants get through the first year of their lives. Once they do, a giraffe typically lives for about 25 years.
