Call Me the Camel-Leopard

Giraffes get part of their Latin name, camelopardalis, from their long camel-like necks and leopard-like spots. But they are more closely related to okapis, rather than camels or leopards. Masai giraffes are one of nine species of giraffe. They are the largest of the giraffes, growing up to 18 feet tall, making them the tallest land mammals on earth. Their spots are generally larger and darker than other giraffes and are jagged, resembling oak leaves. All giraffe spot patterns are as unique as human fingerprints and can be used to identify individuals.

I Am Big Everywhere

Giraffe necks, which makes up about one-third of their height, contain only seven vertebrae, just like human necks, but each neck bone can be over 10 inches long! Giraffes have evolved an anti-gravity system that keeps them from fainting from the blood rushing to their head when they lean down to drink. Their muscular tongues are about 18-20 inches long and prehensile, meaning they can be used to grab leaves from trees. The purple-black coloring is thought to prevent sunburn. Its feet are the size of dinner plates, its eyes are as big as golf balls, and its heart is about two feet long and weighs 25 pounds. At birth, a baby giraffe is 5-6 feet tall and weighs 140-200 pounds!

I Eat More Hours Than I Sleep

Giraffes spend about 16–20 hours each day eating up to 75 pounds of leaves. If its food is fresh, a giraffe will get the water it needs from its food and not need another source of water for weeks. Male Masai giraffes eat from the very top branches of trees, primarily acacia, while the females feed from the lower branches. Eating almost constantly, giraffes typically sleep less than two hours in a 24-hour period, and rest standing up. While giraffes are usually easy-going and tolerant of other giraffes and neighboring animals, when threatened they can run almost 40 miles per hour, and their powerful kicks can knock a lion unconscious or worse.