Hayleigh’s Blog

Giraffes arenative only to Africa but they are still found in many different countries throughout sub-saharan Africa. Hunting and loss of habitat have forced the giraffe population to find refuge in national parks in East Africa and the northern parts of South Africa.

Giraffes are herbivores that prefer to eat leaves from various deciduous[deciduous means the dropping of a part that is no longer needed, or falling away after its purpose is finished.]  and evergreen trees found in open woodlands and wooded savannas. They tend to favor Acacia trees. Giraffes drink water every two to three days and can go without water for weeks. When a watering hole is available,giraffes will drink up to twelve gallons of water at a time.

Giraffes are the tallest living animals on earth. The male giraffe’s height from hoof to the top of his head can be up to nineteen feet. The giraffe can weigh up to 4500 pounds. The female is usually two feet shorter and can weigh 2600 pounds. A lot of the height and weight of a giraffe is from its incredibly long,heavy neck.

A giraffe’s neck can be eight feet in length, weighing as much as 500 pounds. Even though the giraffe is much taller than a human,it has the same number of vertebras in their neck. Both giraffes and humans have seven vertebras in their necks. A giraffe’s neck contains a special vascular system equipped with special valves to aid in pumping sufficient blood to the brain.