Giraffa
Sign in to saveGiraffes (genus Giraffa) are large African hoofed mammals. They are the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largest ruminants on Earth. They are classified under the family Giraffidae, along with their closest extant relative, the okapi. Traditionally, giraffes have been thought of as one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies. Most recently, researchers proposed dividing them into four extant species, with seven subspecies, which can be distinguished morphologically by their fur coat patterns. Six valid extinct species of Giraffa are known from the fossil record.
AI overview
Giraffes are the world's tallest land animals and largest ruminants, native to Africa and belonging to the family Giraffidae alongside their closest living relative, the okapi. Scientists have traditionally classified all giraffes as a single species with multiple subspecies, though recent research suggests they should be divided into four separate species that can be distinguished by their distinct fur patterns.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassMammalia
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyGiraffidae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
23 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Taxonomy
- Evolution
- Species and subspecies
- Anatomy
- Head
- Neck
- Legs, locomotion and posture
- Internal systems
- Behaviour and ecology
- Habitat and feeding
- Social life
- Reproduction and parental care
- Necking
- Mortality and health
- Human relations
- Cultural significance
- Captivity
- Exploitation
- Conservation status
- See also
- References
- External links
Giraffes (genus Giraffa) are large African hoofed mammals. They are the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largest ruminants on Earth. They are classified under the family Giraffidae, along with their closest extant relative, the okapi. Traditionally, giraffes have been thought of as one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies. Most recently, researchers proposed dividing them into four extant species, with seven subspecies, which can be distinguished morphologically by their fur coat patterns. Six valid extinct species of Giraffa are known from the fossil record.
The distinguishing characteristics of giraffes are their extremely long neck and legs, horn-like ossicones, and spotted coat patterns. Their scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannahs and woodlands. Their food source is leaves, fruits, and flowers of woody plants, primarily acacia species, which they browse at heights most other ground-based herbivores cannot reach. Lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs may prey upon giraffes. Giraffes live in herds of related females and their offspring or bachelor herds of unrelated adult males but are gregarious and may gather in large groups. Males establish social hierarchies through "necking", combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. Dominant males gain mating access to females, which bear sole responsibility for rearing the young.