The giraffe’s long neck allows it to reach food other animals can’t reach.
What’s the tallest animal in the world? You’re right – the giraffe! A male giraffe is about 18 feet tall. How tall are you? How many kids your size would it take, standing on each others’ shoulders, to reach the height of a giraffe???
Giraffe eating leaves from tree.
The cool thing about this animal is not only its long neck, but also its four long legs. No wonder it can reach food the other animals can’t!
What’s simple for some animals, can be very difficult for a giraffe – taking a drink of water, for instance. Think about how you would do this if you were a giraffe. You’d have to put your front legs way out in front of you and slowly tip your head down, being careful not to do a forward somersault (and get the hippos laughing at you!).
Drinking from a stream.
When you pick up your head and extend your neck again after your refreshing drink, you’re lifting 550 pounds! What a workout! Not only that, but while bent forward like that you’re very vulnerable to predators. It would be impossible to run away quickly if a lion were to show up. Good thing you can store water like a camel and can go several days without drinking.
Thorny acacia tree
I was surprised to see the giraffes eating the thorny acacia trees. Just look at those long thorns! I learned that a giraffe has a very tough mouth and tongue to be able to deal with these. Plus they eat only the outer part of the branches where the thorns aren’t too big yet – very clever, eh?
A herd of giraffes
While driving through the countryside, we often saw just a few giraffes hanging out together. We were delighted by this site of a herd of giraffes one afternoon. How many giraffes can you see in this photograph? Look carefully. There are more than you see at first glance.
I was interested to see that giraffe mommies look after their babies, just as mommies in most other animal species do. They keep them close and protect them against predators.
Looking closely at these photos and videos, what do you notice about a giraffe that you never knew before? How would the Serengeti ecosystem change if there were no giraffes living there?
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It would take 4 kids to make me a giraffe height.
Even though giraffes have long necks, did you know they have the same amount of bones in their neck as you do? Seven bones except theirs is alot longer.
Even though giraffes have long necks, did you know they have the same amount of bones in their neck as you do? Seven bones except theirs is alot longer.
Hi Ms.Christie-Blick 🙂 baby Giraffes are very cute and so are adult ones. Giraffes have a very intereresting pattern.;) I love Giraffes they are one of my favourite animals in the world.
Hi Ms.Christie-Blick 🙂 baby Giraffes are very cute and so are adult ones. Giraffes have a very intereresting pattern.;) I love Giraffes they are one of my favourite animals in the world.
How long are giraffees necks when they are first born?
That’s an interesting question. I know a baby giraffe’s neck is proportionally shorter than the neck of an adult giraffe, but I can’t find a specific length. Let us know if you find the answer!
How long are giraffees necks when they are first born?
That’s an interesting question. I know a baby giraffe’s neck is proportionally shorter than the neck of an adult giraffe, but I can’t find a specific length. Let us know if you find the answer!
Giraffees are VERY tall! They have a very interesting pattern! [=
Giraffees are VERY tall! They have a very interesting pattern! [=
That must of bin cool.Did you no that Giraffes can live up to 20 yars old
A Giraffe can run up to 7 Koilomters per houre.
Wuw I never knew Giraffe would eat thorns like that !
I think it would take about four people to get to the hight of a Giraff . Poor Giraffes it must be so hard to get a sip of water.
I never new girafs were so tall I wonder how hard it is to run away from lions and other preditors?
You’re right, Brayden, it could be tricky trying to run away from predators if you’re a giraffe. A giraffe can run up to 60 kilometres per hour (that’s 37 miles per hour), which isn’t as fast as a lion. But the giraffe can also kick.
wow thay are very tall I think a giraffe would be 6 kids tall . ps hope you had fun in tanzania.
i love the pictures.
I heard hat girrafes have blue toungs is that true I have been wondering if that was really true?
Their tongues are black.