Giraffes are one of the most recognizable large mammals on earth yet we know very little about their biology and conservation needs. This is because giraffes, due to their unique anatomy, have not been good candidates for collaring until recently. Re
Giraffes are tracked by placing a tag at the tail of the giraffe, which is now sending back hourly GPS locations via satellite to our partners at the Somali Giraffe Project. During the tagging process, their team is also able to take body measurement
Giraffe research historically has lagged behind compared to other large mammals. This is because typical collars that are put on the neck of animals do not fit giraffes well, as they slide right off when the animal bends. Recently, scientists have t
Giraffes are one of the tallest animals in the world, with their legs alone measuring around 6 feet. When fully grown and standing upright, giraffes can reach a height of up to 18 feet or even more. Adult male giraffes usually weigh about 1,600 pound
Giraffes use a variety of sounds to communicate with one another. The most common sound is a deep rumbling, which has been described as comparable to the purring of a big cat. Giraffes also make moans and snorts, either alone or in combination with t
Giraffes are herbivores, so their diet consists mainly of leaves, buds, and fruits from trees and shrubs. They also eat grasses and herbs when available. Special adaptations such as long necks and tongues help giraffes reach high-growing foliage to s
Giraffes live in the savannas and woodlands of Africa, where they can find plenty of trees to browse. Sub-Saharan Africa is their primary habitat, with some populations existing in northwestern Ethiopia, southeastern Niger, and south-central Chad. Th
Yes, giraffes are currently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population has been declining significantly since the 1990s due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Although there have been some co
Giraffes have a relatively long lifespan when compared to other animals. In the wild, they usually live up to 25 years, while in captivity they can reach even 40 years. However, their life span is decreasing due to habitat destruction and hunting by
A group of giraffes is called a tower. A small group of giraffes is referred to as a "journey," while larger groups are known as a "tower" because of how the animals stand in tall, upright formations when grazing or watching for predators. This uniqu