Specie Name :         Giraffe           

Scientific Name :   Cameleopardalus Giraffa

Eight recognized races, the reticulated giraffe (G. c. reticulata) of north Kenya most distinctive its latticework of thin lines separating dark patches is also most unlike the markings of any other mammal. The familiar Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi) of East Africa has the most irregular pattern.

Description:
The biggest ruminant and the tallest mammal. Very long neck with short, upstanding mane, high shoulders sloping steeply to hindquarters long legs nearly equal in length. Male wt 2420-4250 lb (1100-1932 kg), shoulder ht 9-11 ft (2.7-3.3 m), top of horns up to 18 ft (5.5 m) Female wt 1540-2600 lb (700 1182 kg), female shoulder ht 2 ft shorter. Head tapers to point long, prehensile tongue. Horns: solid bone, skin covered a main pair in both sexes but female's thin and tufted male's thick and bald on top, up to 5 in (13.5 cm). A median horn and 4 or more smaller bumps in males. Tail hocklength, with long tassel. Color brown to rich chestnut (old males darker, even black), dissected into intricate tapestry by patches and blotches of lighter hair, pattern unique in each giraffe. Scent glands: possible glands on eyelids, nose, lips adult males have pungent smell

Habitat:
Formerly throughout arid and dry savanna zones south of the Sahara, wherever trees occur. Eliminated from most of West African and southern Kalahari range but still reasonably common even outside wildlife preserves.

Behavior:
Equipped to exploit a 6 foot band of foliage beyond reach of all other terrestrial browsers except the elephant. The 18 inch (45 cm) tongue and a modified atlas-axis joint that lets the head extend vertically further increase the height advantage. Giraffes can browse crowns of small trees big bulls can reach 19 feet, a yard higher than cows. Feed mainly on broad leafed deciduous foliage in the rains and on evergreen species at other seasons menu includes 100 species but Acacia and Combretum trees are mainstays in most areas. Narrow muzzle and flexible upper lip, along with the prehensile tongue, enable this animal to harvest the most nutritious leaves in the quantity (up to 75 lb, 134 kg per day) necessary to sustain its great bulk. Drinks every 2 to 3 days when water available but also extracts water from green leaves spends dry season near evergreen vegetation, as along watercourses, dispersing more widely in the rains.  Females spend just over half a 24 hour day browsing, males somewhat less (43%). Night is mostly spent Lying down ruminating, especially hours after dark and before dawn. Bulls spend about 22% of the 24 hours walking, compared to 13% for cows the extra mileage goes into searching for cows in heat.