Giraffes 101 | Nat Geo Wild

Summary

Giraffes, the tallest land animals on Earth, stand out with their towering height and long necks, which allow them to reach high tree tops for food and spot danger from afar. With hearts weighing as much as 50 human hearts, their blood pressure is uniquely high, helping pump blood to their brains. Despite having the same number of neck bones as humans, giraffes' necks can grow up to 6 feet long. They sleep only five minutes a day, staying alert to predators. Unfortunately, giraffe populations have declined dramatically due to hunting and habitat loss, making them a vulnerable species in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Takeaways

• 😀 Giraffes are the tallest living land animals, with adult males reaching over 18 feet tall.
• 😀 Baby giraffes, called calves, are born six feet tall and can grow an inch per day during their first week.
• 😀 Giraffes' towering height allows them to eat treetop leaves and spot predators from afar.
• 😀 A giraffe's heart is about two feet long and weighs around 25 pounds, equivalent to 50 human hearts.
• 😀 Giraffes have blood pressure twice as high as many other animals, helping blood flow up their long necks and into their brain.
• 😀 Both humans and giraffes have seven neck bones, but giraffe neck bones are much larger (10 inches tall).
• 😀 A giraffe's neck can grow up to six feet long and weigh 600 pounds.
• 😀 Male giraffes use their necks in fights to establish dominance and hierarchy within herds.
• 😀 Giraffes only sleep about 5 to 30 minutes a day, taking multiple one to two-minute naps.
• 😀 Sleeping standing up helps giraffes avoid predators, as lying down makes them vulnerable.
• 😀 Giraffe populations have declined by up to 40% between 1985 and 2015, primarily due to hunting for meat, coats, and tails.

Q & A

Why are giraffes considered iconic creatures of Africa?

Giraffes are considered iconic due to their towering height and unique long necks, which make them easily recognizable and distinctive among other African animals.

How tall can adult giraffes grow?

Adult females can grow over 14 feet tall, while adult males can reach over 18 feet tall.

How tall are baby giraffes at birth and how quickly do they grow?

Baby giraffes, called calves, are born about 6 feet tall and can grow an additional inch every day during their first week.

What is the advantage of a giraffe's exceptional height?

A giraffe's height allows it to reach leaves and buds from tree tops, which are unreachable by other animals, and it also helps them spot predators and dangers from a distance.

Why do giraffes have such strong hearts?

Giraffes have exceptionally strong hearts, weighing about 25 pounds, to pump blood up their long necks and to overcome the force of gravity due to the great distance between their hearts and brains.

How does the giraffe's heart function differently from other animals?

A giraffe's heart has thick muscular walls and its blood pressure is about twice as high as many other animals, which helps circulate blood through its long neck and to its brain.

How many neck bones do giraffes have compared to humans?

Giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans, with both having seven bones. However, giraffe neck bones are much larger, about 10 inches tall, compared to the half-inch tall neck bones in humans.

How long can giraffes' necks grow and how much do they weigh?

Giraffe necks can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh around 600 pounds.

What is the purpose of male giraffes using their necks in fights?

Male giraffes use their necks in fights to establish dominance and a hierarchy within the herd, often battling over access to females.

How much sleep do giraffes need and how do they sleep?

Giraffes need only 5 to 30 minutes of sleep per day, typically in the form of short one to two minute naps. They can sleep standing up, as lying down exposes them to predators.

What challenges do giraffes face in terms of population and conservation?

Giraffe populations are vulnerable, having declined by about 40% between 1985 and 2015. They are hunted for their coats, meat, and tails, particularly in regions like South Sudan and some Congolese communities.

What makes giraffes unique compared to other animals?

Giraffes are unique due to their towering height, long necks, powerful hearts, and their ability to sleep standing, making them one of the most distinctive and remarkable creatures in Africa.