Giraffa camelopardalis
Africa, south of the Sahara
Vulnerable
Tallest Land Mammal
The giraffe is the tallest land mammal in the world. Giraffes are born around six feet tall, with adult males standing upwards of 18 feet tall and females up to 16 feet tall. This adaptation allows the animal to browse in taller tree tops and experience less competition with fellow ungulates.
Ruminant
Giraffe are ruminating herbivores, meaning they have a four-chambered stomach, like that of a cow. Giraffes consume bark, leaves, seeds, fruits and will actually consume soil for minerals. A familial group of giraffes will spread out for a good distance to find food resources.
Beneficial Relationships
Oxpecker birds are often found riding on giraffes’ necks to feast on ticks that seek giraffe out. This provides a natural pest control for giraffes. This relationship provides nutrition for the bird and a control against an insect predator for the giraffe.