Reticulated Giraffe

scientific name

Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata

size/weight/height

Height: male up to 18' • female 13 - 15'
Weight: male 1,765 - 4,255 lbs.
• female 1,215 - 2,600 lbs.
Tail Length: maximum 3'

adaptations/coloration

Color/Pattern: pattern identifies individual; vary between individuals & sub-species (not accurate way to differentiate sub-species); chestnut patches large & regular in reticulated subspecies • narrow white lines separate
Hide: thick
Horns: one of few ruminants born with horns • present on both sexes (male slightly larger) • covered with skin • lie flat at birth • become upright & bony 1st week
Legs: forelegs longer than hind-legs (slopes toward rear)
Neck: height requires that series of valves regulate flow of blood to head
Senses: sight most developed • hearing & smell very acute
Tail: may have hair tassel • tuft used as fly swatter
Vertebrae: 7 mammalian cervical but elongated • 4th & 5th thoracic have large, forward-facing dorsal spines (the conspicuous shoulder hump) • serve as neck muscles’ attachment point
Voice: normally silent • can produce variety grunts & snorts • calves bleat

behavior

Defense: head & horns used in fights between males • serious injury rare • strong hooves
Feeding: sexes differ • very specific • males eat tree canopy with neck outstretched • females eat neck curved over - body to knee height
Group: herd transitory & scattered • members constantly changing
Social Order: bulls not territorial • bulls coexist in overlapping ranges • hierarchy among males exists • each individual knows status

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: wild ~25 yrs • captivity record 28 yrs
Birth Site: same site used continuously by many generations
Breeding: majority of successful breeding by few top males
Calves: begin forming groups 1 - 2 weeks
Gestation: ~15 mos.
Parenting: mom - excellent • defends calf from anyone & anything • leaves calf during heat of day to graze
Predators of Calves: lions (main), African wild dogs, hyenas & leopards • mortality 1st yr. 58% (but population still increases 5-6% annually)
Sexual Maturity: male ~3.5 yrs • female ~5 yrs
Young: twins extremely rare
Birth Interval: ~2 yrs.

diet