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Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

Description:

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.

Habitat:

Nairobi National Park

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16 Comments

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

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!

Atul
Atul 11 years ago

congrats !! and lovely pics!

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

Congratulations Maria....!!

empidonax
empidonax 11 years ago

Lovely series. And congrats on #500!

NeilDazet
NeilDazet 11 years ago

Congrats on 500! That is amazing.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

Is Giraffe's age considered as per number of horns grown on his head..?

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 11 years ago

handsome fella, congrats on your #500 !!

Wild Things
Wild Things 11 years ago

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

Jeannette
Jeannette 11 years ago

Beautiful series for #500 ^--^

Congratulations Maria :)

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Thanks, Nancy and Emma. I have a separate spotting for the oxpecker: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/124...

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 11 years ago

good eyes!!,auntnance!

auntnance123
auntnance123 11 years ago

Very cool; congrats on #500. And in the last photo you got a "bonus bird" as well.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 11 years ago

Giraffes are cute. i heard that they kick hard!! Lion cubs get kicked around a lot by them when they stalk them.

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Thank you, Aaron! :>)

Aaron_G
Aaron_G 11 years ago

A beautiful spotting for #500. Congrats!

Maria dB
Spotted by
Maria dB

Nairobi, Central, Kenya

Spotted on Jun 10, 2012
Submitted on Aug 26, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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Reference

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