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GIRAFFES
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
HOUSE NAME: Male "Juani", Female "Cleo", Male Calf "Miguu"
HABITAT: Dry Savannah and open woodland of Sub-Saharan Africa
CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered
CONSERVATION RESOURCES:
Giraffe Conservation Foundation AZA Reticulated Giraffe SAFE Program
FUN FACT: The extreme height of these animals has led to some amazing physiological adaptations. Giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their neck as humans (7), but each is much larger. When standing, a giraffe’s brain is 9 feet above its heart, but when the giraffe lowers its head to drink it is 6 feet below the heart. In most animals, this sudden change of 15 feet would cause ruptures in blood vessels and hemorrhaging in the brain, but this is prevented by special elasticized arteries and valves in the neck that prevent changes in blood pressure.
DESCRIPTION: Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world, with males reaching heights of 18’ and Females approximately 14’. Average weight is 1,760 pounds, but can range from 1,200-4,200 pounds. Their long neck, body, legs, and most of the head are covered by various shaped rust to brown colored spots on a buff or cream background. Coloration tends to darken with age. Different sub-species have differently shaped patterns, though no two giraffes have identical patterns. The long tail has a dark tuft at the end. Body hair is short. A short mane runs down the back of the neck. Two to four horns (cartilage covered by skin and hair) are found in both sexes, though they seem to grow more slowly in females. Horns are present at birth. The 18” tongue is prehensile, and it is generally black to dark brown.
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