Did you know...?

Giraffes are the tallest living land animal measuring up to 5.5 m high

The scientific name for giraffes (camelopardis) came about because people originally thought the giraffe was a cross between a camel and a leopard - due to its leopard like spots and hump on its back!

Dispite their very long neck, giraffes have the same number of neck bones as we do - only 7! Except their neck bones are 25cm long.

A giraffe´s tounge is 18 inches long - which helps them collect the 34kgs of leaves they eat each day.

Female giraffes are pregnant for 14 months after which the baby falls almost 2 meters to the ground - talk about a rude awakening!

The giraffe has the longest tail of any land mammal, measuring up to 8 feet!

Although considered relatively placid animals, giraffes make a variety of noises including a moo, hiss, roar and whistle.

Giraffes are by no means defenceless animals. They can protect themselves with powerful kicks and can run up to 56 km/hr

The Plight of the Giraffe

Fortunately, giraffe populations are doing quite well and as a result giraffes are not on the endangered species list.

This can be linked largely to the fact that giraffes do not interfere significantly with humans or livestock, and therefore historically have avoided being hunted. Instead, giraffes have remained revered for their size, grace and calm demeanor.

There is however one subspecies that we´re in danger of losing. Scientists estimate that there are less than 450 Ug Giraffes left in the wild!

These fun facts are from the The San Diego Zoo Website