Giraffe brief information. Animal giraffe: description, photos and pictures, video, why the giraffe's neck is so long, what is its height

The giraffe is a mammal that belongs to the artiodactyl order, the giraffidae family. The Latin name is Giraffa camelopardalis. Of the hired species of animals is the highest. There are several types of giraffes that live in different places And climatic zones, which determines how much a giraffe weighs and its color.

The growth of giraffes reaches up to 5.7 m, of which 3.3 m is the body to the shoulders, 2.4 m falls on the neck of the horns. Males are larger than females, which are smaller on average by 1 m. Males weigh 1500-1900 kg, female - up to 1200. A newborn cub weighs 50-55 kg, height is 2 m. Life expectancy - 25 years in a zoo, 10-15 years in wild nature.

Due to the high growth, the load on the heart muscle and the vascular system of the animal increases. The heart of giraffes is strong, reaching a mass of up to 12 kg. In 1 minute it can drive up to 60 liters of blood, the pressure on the walls of blood vessels is 3 times higher than the human norm.

They have a thick skin covered with short hairs. The elongation of the coat is noticeable only on the mane, back, forehead and tail tassel. The main color is hardly noticeable, most of the body is covered with spots. The color of the coat is different for each species, depending on the range. Spots vary in size, color, location on the body, number. Shades of spots are from yellow to black. The pattern of wool obtained during fetal development remains unchanged throughout life. Small spots on the long neck and legs, absent on the ventral part of the abdomen and the inner surface of the legs.

The legs of a giraffe are thin, but strong, the front ones are longer than the back ones. The long neck also consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, the size of which is longer than usual. The back is sloping, ending in a thin long tail 100 cm. The tassel-shaped tip of the tail is an essential insect protection device. On the head there are 2 horns 15 cm each with tassels at the end. They are formed from bone tissue covered with skin and hair, thinner in females than in males. Another bone outgrowth is located in the middle of the forehead, which is not a horn.

The tongue of giraffes is black, large and long, which helps with nutrition, the muzzle is long, elongated. It reaches a length of up to 45 cm - this is necessary for obtaining food. The giraffe feeds on leaves from trees, which it captures from the upper branches with the help of its tongue.

giraffe varieties

Almost 200 giraffes using genetic analysis alone different groups it was possible to establish that there are 4 separate species of these mammals. Previously it was believed that there is 1 species and 9 different subspecies. The variety depends on the place of stay, the main habitat is Africa. Each region has a specific subspecies, there are a total of 9 subspecies.

Nubian giraffe. The habitat is in eastern Sudan and western Ethiopia. Coat color dark, spots Brown color with bordered white lines. Bone outgrowth on the forehead of a large size.
The Rothschild giraffe or Ugandan giraffe lives in Uganda. Has spots large sizes brown with white stripes between them.
Somali or reticulated giraffe. Habitat - northern Kenya and southern Somalia. This subspecies is distinguished by the beauty of the color, has bright brown-red spots of medium size. Each spot ends with a sharp edge of white. Bone outgrowth in females is completely absent.
Angolan giraffe - inhabits the countries of Namibia and Botswana. The wool is dyed with large elongated spots. In Angola, this subspecies originated, but now the population in the country has been destroyed.
giraffe kordofan with western regions Sudan and Central Africa. A feature is unevenly spaced spots, which are more in the lower part of the legs at the will of the joints.
Masai giraffe - a species in which dark spots are only on the legs, have unusual shape like a star.
South African giraffe from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. The coat color is golden hue, spots of dark color are round in shape.
Thornycroft's giraffe lives in Zambia. Light wool with dark spots irregular shape with sharp corners.
The West African giraffe is a rare subspecies and is protected from extinction. All surviving individuals number 175 giraffes, they live only in the state of Chad.

The height of the giraffe of each subspecies differs slightly from the others.

Previously, varieties were taken as independent species. The facts of a sharp difference in spots and growth of giraffes led to this. different patterns colors exist even among the same subspecies and family. There is a theory that suggests the existence of giraffes with a uniform coat color without spots.

Where do giraffes live?

Giraffes as a separate species appeared in Central Asia then spread to Africa and Europe. The range of distribution of giraffes is from 5 to 654 km² and depends on the source of water and food. The permanent habitat of giraffes is the African continent.

Territorially distributed from the southern lands of the Sahara desert to the east of the Transvaal and northern Botswana. Previously, animals lived in West Africa, but all species have disappeared. In this part, giraffes live in the Republic of Niger thanks to a restored population from artificial reserves.

For this group of mammals, an arid climate is satisfactory. Populations are found in savannahs, grasslands and sparse forests. For the place of formation of the herd, territories with a large number of acacias suitable for their food are selected. Giraffes are not very dependent on the source of water, because they drink little. Males leave the herd in search of deciduous habitats.

Now favorable conditions are being created for giraffes in the reserves of Australia, Europe, Asia, and America.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Giraffes lead social image life, live in large open herds. In one herd, there are an average of 10-20 individuals, the maximum recorded number of inhabitants reached 70 animals. The giraffe can join or leave the herd voluntarily, at will. These mammals are considered very fast, reaching speeds of up to 60 km per hour and covering long distances.

Giraffes rest at night in a standing position, taking a certain pose. The animal lowers its head onto the hind leg, the neck takes the form of a small arch. Lying position during sleep is rarely taken. Eyes not fully closed, slightly open, ears in normal condition twitch. They have the most minimal need for sleep duration of all mammals - about 2 hours per day.

To establish their superiority in the flock, fights are arranged. Adult males participate in the duel. Sparring begins with walking next to each other, horizontal necks pointing forward. Then the necks are intertwined, the heads lean close to each other - this is necessary to assess the strength of the enemy. After evaluating, a blow is applied to the neck and head. The impact force is heavy, some giraffes are knocked down and badly injured.

Giraffes are ruminant mammals with a four-chambered stomach and eat plant foods. Most day - up to 20 hours, spend eating. The main diet consists of the following products:

tree leaves;
flowers;
seeds;
fruit.

They get minerals from the soil of the savannah. From the trees, the leaves of Senegalese acacia, bashful mimosa, small-flowered combretum, and apricots are used. On long journeys, they can stay for a long time without eating, replacing it with chewing gum. Preference is given to acacia leaves. To pick leaves, the giraffe pulls and bends a tree branch, grabbing it with its mouth, and plucks the leaves with its lips. The presence of thorns does not interfere with the use of acacia for food, the molars of a giraffe are able to grind them in the process of absorption along with the leaves. Females are selective in the choice of trees, prefer high-calorie leaves, extracting them from the lower branches.

An adult animal consumes 65 kg of food per day. In a critical situation during a drought, it is enough for a giraffe to survive by reducing the diet to 7 kg of food per day. They can consume up to 35 liters of liquid at one time.

reproduction

This species is polygamous. During the mating season, the male begins courting the female. It begins with analyzing the smell of urine. After evaluating the female, the male rubs his head against her sacrum, then lays his head on his back. The next stage of courtship is licking the tail of the chosen one. Then the male throws his front paw on her back. If the female takes the courtship positively, she raises her tail for mating. In the rainy season, offspring are conceived. The gestation period lasts 450 days on average.

Female births occur during dry seasons from May to August. Giraffes breed every 20-30 months. Delivery begins in a standing position or when moving. A baby giraffe is called a calf, it is born 2 m tall. After 15 minutes, a newborn baby is already sucking mother's milk and gradually rises to its feet. The first time for 7-10 days the foal hides in the daytime and at night. The close stay of the female cub with the mother lasts up to 12-16 months. Males stay with their mother for 2 months less. Puberty occurs in males at the age of 4-5 years, they begin to breed from the age of 7 upon reaching maturity. Young females mature earlier - at 3-4 years, but begin to breed later.

At birth, the giraffe lacks horns, instead having only cartilage. As the calf grows, the cartilage ossifies, taking the form of horns. The black hair covering the forehead also disappears.

In the herd, females are social. They organize collective care for common cubs. After weaning the foal from the mother after 4 weeks, one female looks after the cubs of the entire herd, which is periodically replaced. The rest of the females are free and can travel long distances, and all the children remain under supervision and protection from wild animals. The return of the cubs is made at night for feeding.

Role in the ecosystem

giraffes have great importance in the planet's ecosystem. Many species are protected security organizations. Interaction occurs with other animals and birds. Buffalo starlings consist of mutually beneficial relationship with large mammals. They clean the back and neck of giraffes from ticks and insects with their beaks. In this case, the birds receive the necessary nutrients.

Relationships with humans are not vital to the animal population. Giraffes in reserves and zoos, with the necessary care, live longer than in the wild. Poachers hunted giraffes for their meat, hides, and tails. Household items were made from the skin: whips, reins, belts, upholstery. The ancient Greeks and Romans staged a display of these animals in the Colosseums for the entertainment of the public. The population of these mammals is protected in the eastern and South Africa, but decreased in western regions continent. The total number of subspecies is 150 thousand individuals.

Giraffes are threatened by wild animals and poachers. On land, they are hunted by lions, leopards, hyenas. Near reservoirs during a watering place they are defenseless from attacks of crocodiles. Only adult large individuals are able to protect themselves, cubs are often attacked. The impressive size can scare away predators. The hooves of the front legs can deal heavy blows, which is self-defense in giraffes. One strong blow is capable of breaking the skull bone of a not very large animal.

Giraffes are zoo dwellers. The right conditions contents benefit the animals and prolong their lifespan.

Our ancestors learned about the giraffe 40 thousand years ago. It was then that a reasonable person began to master. The long acquaintance of people with this amazing creature is confirmed by petroglyphs, which are 12-14 thousand years old. The stones are located in the north-west of present-day Libya, on the slopes of the Wadi Metkandush.

Not only African animals are carved on them, but also scenes of human communication with them. For example: in one of the engravings, a man is sitting astride a giraffe. It is difficult to say what it is: the artist's fantasy or evidence of attempts to domesticate these animals.

The contemporaries of Julius Caesar were probably the first citizens of a European state who saw and appreciated the outlandish inhabitants of Africa. They were delivered to the cities of the Roman Empire by Arab traders. A few centuries later, the European public was able to get a good look at the giraffe. It was received as a gift by the Florentine Lorenze de Medici. This was in the 15th century.

The next similar meeting of the inhabitants of Europe with the African miracle took place 300 years later. In 1825, it was presented to the king of France, Charles 10, by an Egyptian pasha. Not only the overlord and courtiers surprised giraffe, animal was demonstrated general public.

Carl Linnaeus included the giraffe in the animal classifier in 1758 under the Latin system name Giraffa camelopardalis. The first part of the name is from the distorted Arabic word “zarafa” (smart).

The second part of the name literally means "leopard camel". Unusual name amazing herbivore suggests that biologists had very superficial information about him.

Russian name naturally derived from Latin. Long time used in the feminine. Then the feminine and masculine variants became acceptable. In modern speech, it is used in the masculine gender, although “giraffe” is also not a mistake.

Giraffes can form huge herds with their neighbors

Description and features

Modern technology(television, internet) makes it possible to get acquainted with this artiodactyl without leaving home. Giraffe in the photo or the video looks remarkable. Surprises, first of all, the structure of the body. The body is equipped with a sloping back.

It passes into an exorbitantly elongated neck, crowned with a small (relative to the body) head with horns. The legs are long, but not massive. At a speed of 55 kilometers per hour, they are able to move a creature whose weight sometimes exceeds a ton.

growth of an adult giraffe approaches 6 meters. The length of the neck is about a third of the total height, that is, 1.8-2 meters. On the head, individuals of both sexes have small horns, sometimes not one, but two pairs. In front of the horns, there may be an inert outgrowth, also resembling a horn.

Small ears indicate good hearing. Large, black eyes, surrounded by shaggy eyelashes, indicate excellent vision. Developed hearing and vision with high growth increase the chances of survival in the African.

The most amazing part of the giraffe's body is the neck. To make it so long, nature provided the neck with seven (as expected) vertebrae of a special size. They are 25 cm long. Females do not differ in body structure from males, but they are 10-15 percent lower and lighter than males.

If the dimensions and proportions of the body in all species and subspecies of animals are similar, then the pattern and color vary. The general color of the skin is yellow-orange. Throughout the body there are spots of red, brown and transitional shades. There is a subspecies in which the pattern is more like a grid than spots. Scientists say that it is impossible to find giraffes with identical patterns.

The internal organs of a mammal match its external appearance: very large and not quite ordinary. The black tongue reaches half a meter in length. This is a flexible and powerful tool for grabbing branches and tearing vegetation. The tongue is assisted by a tenacious and mobile upper lip, covered with coarse hair to protect it from thorns.

The esophagus is equipped with developed muscles to ensure the transport of food to the stomach and back. As with any ruminant, only repeated chewing can help normal digestion. The stomach, which has four sections, is oriented towards the ruminant method of assimilation of food. Giraffe, the tallest animal, has an intestine 70 meters long.

Kinds

In the Neogene period, having separated from deer-like animals, the ancestor of this artiodactyl appeared. Settled primitive giraffe in africa, Asia and Europe. Not one, but several prehistoric species claimed to further development. But in the Pleistocene, cooling began. Many large animals have become extinct. Giraffes have dwindled to two species: the okapi and the giraffe.

Scientists believe that the elongation of the neck of giraffes began in the late Pleistocene. Possible reasons This process is called the struggle between males for leadership and competition for food. Along with the neck, the legs lengthened and the body changed its configuration. Bye growth of an adult giraffe did not reach six meters. This is where the evolutionary process stopped.

IN modern look There are nine subspecies of giraffes.

The Nubian giraffe is the nominate subspecies. It is on the brink of extinction. In southeastern Sudan, South Sudan and western Ethiopia, there are approximately 650 adults. This subspecies is named Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis.
The number of West African giraffes is even smaller. Only 200 animals live in Chad. The Latin name for this subspecies is Giraffa camelopardalis peralta.
In Sudan, there was the province of Kordofan. On its territory, one of the varieties of giraffe was found, which was called Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum. Now this subspecies is observed in the south of Chad, in Cameroon.
The reticulated giraffe lives in Kenya and southern Somalia. From the name it is clear that the pattern on the skin of a giraffe is more like a grid than spots. This animal is sometimes called the Somali giraffe. The scientific name is Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata.
Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) lives in Uganda. The probability of its complete disappearance is quite high. All individuals of this subspecies are concentrated in Uganda and Kenya.
Masai giraffe. Judging by the name, its living area corresponds to the areas inhabited by the Maasai tribe. In Latin it is called Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi.
The Thornycroft giraffe was named after the Rhodesian officer Harry Thornycroft. This subspecies is sometimes called the Rhodesian giraffe. The name Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti was assigned to the subspecies.
The Angolan giraffe lives in Namibia and Botswana. It is called Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis.
The South African giraffe lives in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It bears the system name Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa.

Pictured is a reticulated giraffe

The division into subspecies is well-established and is still used today. But the situation may change in the near future. For many years there have been scientific disputes related to too big difference subspecies representatives. Factual material was added to scientific disputes.

Scientists at the Goethe University in Germany analyzed the DNA of the collected samples. And instead of one species, which we called the giraffe, there were four. All of them have the common name "giraffe", but the Latin names are different. Instead of one Giraffa camelopardalis, the following appear on the scene:

northern giraffe(Giraffa camelopardalis),
southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa),
massai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi),
reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata).

Four subspecies have upgraded their status to species. The rest have remained subspecies. The introduction of a new classification other than purely scientific value, has a practical application. Now individuals that were part of one species are included in four different ones. The quantitative composition of the species decreases at least four times. That gives reason to intensify the struggle for the preservation of the species.

Lifestyle and habitat

Giraffes love the territory covered with thickets of acacia, African mimosa, apricot tree, any other shrub. Small herds of giraffes can be found in such areas. 10-20 animals in a community.

The backbone of the group is made up of females. Males may move from herd to herd or lead a bachelor, independent lifestyle. Recently, more complex social relations. It turned out that giraffes interact not only within the community, but also with other herd formations located at a distance of one or more kilometers.

Groups can move in concert, unite into larger herds for a while, then break up again.

At the watering hole, giraffes take the most vulnerable posture.

All day long, a herd of giraffes roams in search of food. Giraffes rest at night. They settle down on the ground in a semi-recumbent position, bowing their heads to their hind legs. After spending one to two hours on the ground, the giraffes get up and take a short walk. A change in body position and a warm-up are necessary for the normal functioning of massive internal organs.

Animals fall asleep in this position

They are practically silent animals. But the social mode of existence requires the exchange of information. Upon careful observation, it turns out that the sounds are still there. Males make sounds similar to coughing.

Mothers call their calves with a roar. The young growth, in turn, lows, bleats, snorts. Infrasound is used to communicate over long distances.

Nutrition

Giraffes are artiodactyl herbivores. The basis of their diet is low-nutrient vegetation. IN the move is on any greenery, flowers and leaves located at a height of one and a half to more than two meters. They have few competitors in this food niche.

Like all herbivores, giraffes are food themselves. An adult healthy animal is practically not in danger. Babies and sick individuals have many enemies. These are large cats, hyenas, wild dogs.

Usually rescued by a herd lifestyle and a tendency to protect their fellow tribesmen. One hit with the hoof of this giant can disable any predator.

Reproduction and lifespan

Giraffes are polygamous and do not form stable pairs. The male recognizes the readiness of the female by smell and immediately tries to start mating. The male proves his right to reproduce by engaging in single combat with rivals.

The main offensive means are headbutts. But, despite the power of blows, deaths can not be.

Pregnancy of the female lasts 400-460 days. She gives birth to one calf, and occasionally twins are born. The growth of the foal reaches 1.7-2 meters. After a few hours, he can already run and becomes a full member of the herd.

The giraffe is successfully kept and breeds in captivity. as the most interesting zoo animal, giraffe always attracts the attention of the public. It still arouses no less interest among zoologists. When kept in captivity, he (giraffe) lives up to 20-27 years. IN African savannah his life is half as long.

The giraffe is the tallest representative of the order of mammals. Thanks to its long neck, it can notice a creeping predator in time. Although giraffes are not aggressive, sometimes they manage to win a fight to the death even with a lion.

Giraffes occupy territory in the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. They live in small herds of 40-70 individuals. Their main diet consists of the leaves and buds of trees, especially acacias.

Giraffes are very careful animals. They have well developed eyesight and hearing. Thanks to its long neck, it has the ability to observe a large area and notice predators early.

Sometimes adult giraffes are attacked by leopards, but there is only one predator that has a chance to cope with a healthy giraffe - a lion. The most reliable way of protection for a giraffe is flight. But in exceptional cases, he can protect himself from the attacker by hitting the aggressor with his hoof.

Giraffes have characteristic rounded bony protrusions covered with skin on their heads, which, depending on the species, can be 2-5 cm long. Males use them during skirmishes for dominance in the herd. During the fights, the animals butt each other with horns and intertwine their necks. Such skirmishes never result in injuries, as the horns are rounded at the ends and are not too dangerous. After the fight, the loser steps aside and no longer bothers the winner.

The growth of a giraffe at birth is 1.8 - 2 meters. The cub weighs from 50 to 55 kg. A few hours after birth, he already stands quite firmly on his legs and can follow his mother.

Giraffes are not an endangered species. Their number is estimated at 110 - 150 thousand. individuals.

Kenya - 45,000 giraffes;
Tanzania - 30,000 giraffes;
Botswana - 12,000 giraffes.

Do you know that…

Among giraffes, albinos are often found.
An animal can cover a short distance at a speed of 50 km/h.
Giraffes have longer front legs than their hind legs.
The tongue of a giraffe is very long and can reach 50 cm.
The method of obtaining food differs between males and females. Males reach the highest branches, while females preferentially eat leaves from low bushes.
Despite the extremely long neck, the giraffe has only seven cervical vertebrae, just like other mammals. They are just more stretched out.
The spine of a giraffe is made up of 24 vertebrae.

Giraffe: Interesting Facts, photo and short description for compiling a report or presentation for children in grades 2-3-4.

Habitat

The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world. Giraffes live in the African savannas. Through the fault of man, a significant part of them were exterminated, so today they can no longer be found north of the Sahara. Reserves and reserves today have become the places of their greatest accumulation.

Appearance

First of all, the giraffe is distinguished by its growth and coloration. Its height reaches an average of 5.5 meters. The skin is covered with characteristic dark brown spots. Giraffe Long neck, on the head are two woolen horns 20 centimeters long each. Weight adult is about 900 kilograms. The eyes of a giraffe are black, with a very thick eyelashes. Also, the giraffe has a small tail relative to its body size, which resembles a brush.

Reproduction and lifespan

The female giraffe carries the baby for about 14-15 months. A young giraffe is born with a weight of 50 kilograms and a height of 1.5 meters. An hour after birth, the cub stands on its legs. Very soon the baby will be ready to run. For the first 13 months, the mother feeds him with milk. However, starting from the age of two weeks, a small giraffe can eat plant foods.

In the wild, giraffes live for approximately 25 years.

Behavior and nutrition

Giraffes feed exclusively on food of plant origin. Their growth makes it easy to reach the highest branches of trees. It is much more difficult for a giraffe to eat plants from the ground. It's very hard for him to bend over. This also applies to the watering process. An adult giraffe needs to drink at least 35 liters of water daily.

Giraffes prefer to live in small groups or alone. In case of danger, this "overall" animal is capable of speeds up to 55 km / h. Predators rarely show interest in giraffes, since the latter are able to respond to the offender.

It is important, since we all understand that the structure of the body depends on the conditions in which it was formed. Scientists have found that giraffes appeared in the world more than twenty-five million years ago. Their remains are found almost throughout Eurasia and Africa. But living giraffes in nature can be seen far from everywhere where they grazed at the dawn of history.

Distribution area

Today giraffes live in Africa. Populations in its eastern part are more numerous. In the southwestern regions, the animal is mostly exterminated, although a few groups are still found in the steppes. The all-out hunting that giraffes were subjected to led to the fact that they can be seen where they had not previously grazed. So, some sources claim that they can be found to the west. This is not a very common place for them. In addition, giraffes travel to Chad, Sudan or Zambia. It is no longer possible to meet them in other territories. Thus, it turns out that under natural conditions, giraffes live only in Africa.

giraffe habitat

There are several subspecies of this animal. This division is related to where giraffes live. So, it is very different from the steppe. And those that grazed in the mountains adapted to the terrain in their own way. The fact is that the structure of the body of this miracle of nature allows him to get food from high altitude. Some individuals can reach six meters in height. Since the animal eats only fresh shoots and leaves, it is precisely where such vegetation exists that it lives. The giraffe grabs part of the plant with its tongue and pinches off. This organ is highly developed and comparable in functionality to an elephant's trunk. Studying where giraffes live, scientists were surprised to find that they do not shy away from the steppe area.

Structural features

Their neck is known to be long. Judging by appearance, one could assume that its structure is different from other mammals. Only it's not. The giraffe has seven vertebrae, like everyone else. Therefore, it seems impossible for these animals to eat the grass that grows under their hooves. However, at a time when there is no fresh growth left on the trees, the giraffe in the savannah enjoys fresh grass perfectly. To drink or collect food from the ground, animals have a hard time. They bend their front legs and practically fit on the ground. So you can pinch the herbs and drink some water.

How often do these animals drink?

Do you study where giraffes live? The question of the need for moisture for the correct implementation of all processes in their organisms is quite natural. It is clear that in Africa most regions are exceptionally arid. Giraffes feel great there. They satisfy most of their water needs at the expense of the moisture that is in food (up to 74%). Therefore, they are often found in dry areas. Animals may well go without a watering hole for up to several days. They roam the area in small groups (of five or six individuals) in search of pastures. I must say that giraffes are not at all defenseless, as one might think.

Sense organs in times of danger

Giraffes have very good eyesight, and the neck helps to increase the view of the territory. The animal notices the hunter at a distance of at least two kilometers. If danger approaches, then the animals gather in big herd. Males, whose weight is significant, perfectly use their hooves in order to drive away predators. From their blow, even a lion can be left not only without dinner, but also without life.

Giraffes also have sensitive hearing. If any sound seems dangerous, they may take flight. With seeming clumsiness, animals can develop good speed. They run in big leaps (up to five meters). Interestingly, shorter animals (zebras, okapis) adapted to use long-necked animals as guards. Due to growth, the giraffe sees the danger faster than all. Where this animal lives, protection from predators is provided. If there is a “toothy death” nearby, then they all run away together.

How to get used to the heat?

Everyone adapts to life in one way or another. high temperature air. Giraffes have their own traditions in this regard. They graze at dawn and early in the morning. When does it start heatwave, resting in the shade, chewing gum. The skin of light sand color allows not to overheat under the action of sunlight.

Animals do not suffer from heat. In addition, they are considered very hardy. Nineteenth-century hunters believed (rightly) that the horse was the first to get tired during a long chase. And the giraffes continue their graceful run. By the way, all their movements look like in slow motion. All giraffes are long. He carefully coordinates their movements. Therefore, the step turns out to be somehow cosmic: long and multidimensional. When running, a giraffe helps itself by moving its neck.

How giraffes sleep

It would seem that it is not so easy for an animal with the same neck to adapt to rest. But it's not. At night, giraffes lie on their belly. They bend their limbs under themselves, they try to keep their heads high. But during sleep, the neck can bend, then the back of the head rests against the back of the animal. Often giraffes jump to their feet to check the “safety level”. This is quite reasonable, since predators hunt at night. Often the victims are babies. The older generation protects them in the first year of life. Interestingly, giraffes can gather young from different families into groups, forming a kind of nursery.

This makes them easier to look after.

Can it live in captivity

The first giraffes appeared in Europe over three hundred years ago. But for a long time they could not exist in captivity. They developed a bone problem called giraffe disease. Most likely, animals need constant movement. In its absence, the skeletal system suffers. When people learned how to properly care for these amazing animals, they got the opportunity to study the features of their reproduction. So, it turned out that the fetus develops in forty-three days. The birth was the most amazing. The cub, being born, falls almost from a height of two meters. At the same time, its mass can reach sixty kilograms. The baby does not suffer from such extreme. After about half an hour, he is already up. Then he goes to his mother to feast on milk. He can eat adult food in three weeks.