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Giraffa camelopardalis
The giraffe is the tallest terrestrial animal - 5–6 m (16–20 ft) - and the largest ruminant. Its binomial name refers to its camel-like face and the patches of color on its fur. Its average weight is 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) for males and 830 kg (1,800 lb) for females. There are nine subspecies, which are distinguished by their coat patterns. Both sexes have prominent horn-like structures called ossicones, which are formed from ossified cartilage, covered in skin and fused to the skull at the parietal bones. The ossicones of females and young are thin and display tufts of hair on top, whereas those of adult males end in knobs and tend to be bald on top. Males also have a more prominent median lump at the front of the skull.
Nairobi National Park
16 Comments
Ashish, giraffes all have two horns (ossicones) but those in young males and females are narrower and have tufts, while adult males have tend to have no tufts. Thanks to everyone for your nice comments!
congrats !! and lovely pics!
Congratulations Maria....!!
Lovely series. And congrats on #500!
Congrats on 500! That is amazing.
Is Giraffe's age considered as per number of horns grown on his head..?
handsome fella, congrats on your #500 !!
Lovely series! Congrats!
Maria,you are awesome my friend,great spotting page,beautiful animal's,super photos,congrats in your 500th,thanks for sharing those beautys and their storys
Beautiful series for #500 ^--^
Congratulations Maria :)
Thanks, Nancy and Emma. I have a separate spotting for the oxpecker: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/124...
good eyes!!,auntnance!
Very cool; congrats on #500. And in the last photo you got a "bonus bird" as well.
Giraffes are cute. i heard that they kick hard!! Lion cubs get kicked around a lot by them when they stalk them.
Thank you, Aaron! :>)
A beautiful spotting for #500. Congrats!