GIRAFFE

the giraffe(Giraffa camelopardalis)is an african even-toed ungulated mammal,the tallest living terrestial.its species name refers to its camel-shapeand its leopard-like colouring.Its chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs,itshorn-likeossicones,andits distinctive coat patterns.It is classified under the family Giraffidae,along with itsclosest extant relative,the okapi.he nine subspecies are distinguished by their coat patterns.

The giraffe's scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South africa in the south and from Niger in the wesy to Somalia in the east.Giraffes usually inhabit savannahs'grasslands,and open woodlands.Their primary foods source is acacia leaves which they browse at the heights most other herbivores cannot reach.

Giraffes are prayed on by lions;their calves are laso targetedby leopards,spotted hyenasand African wild dogs.Adult giraffes do not have the strong social bonds,though they do gather in loose aggregations if they happen to be moving in the same direction.Males establish social hierarchies through "necking",which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon.Dominant males gain mating acess to females,which bear the sole responsibility for raising the young

WHERE WILL YOU FIND THEM

You will find the giraffe at G15,just beyond the research centre.