Hey Kids! Did you know that giraffes are the world’s tallest land mammal? Scientists believe they have been on earth for millions of years! To learn more about giraffes check out these amazing giraffe facts for kids!
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What is a giraffe?
The scientific name for a giraffe is giraffa camelopardalis. Giraffes are the world’s tallest animal.
There are one species of giraffes but 9 total sub-species (Rothschild’s Giraffe, West African Giraffe, Thornicroft Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe, Masai Giraffe, Angolan Giraffe, Kordofan Giraffe, Nubian Giraffe, and South African Giraffe).
A male giraffe is called a bull. A female giraffe is called a cow. Baby giraffes are called calves.
What do Giraffe’s Look Like?
Giraffes can be a variety of colors including shades of brown, tan, and orange. They have brown patches/spots. The darker a giraffe’s patches/spots are, the older he/she is. Giraffes have short light-colored hairs that go down the back of their neck. If you look at a giraffe’s eyes you will notice long light-colored eyelashes
Giraffes are very tall. They are the world’s tallest animal. A male giraffe can be up to 19 ft tall and weigh between 2,400 -3,000 pounds. A female giraffe can be up to 16 ft tall and weigh between 1,600 -2,600 pounds.
Giraffes have very long legs and a tail.
A giraffe’s tongue can be 18-20 inches long and is a dark color. They can clean their ears with their tongue!
A giraffe’s heart can weigh up to 24 pounds and be 2 ft long.
Where do Giraffes Live?
Giraffes live in African savannas, grasslands, or open woodlands.
Scientists believe that giraffes have been on earth between 30-50 million years
A giraffe can live 25 years in the wild and 30 in captivity.
Giraffes live in herds of about 20.
What do Giraffes Eat?
Giraffes are herbivores meaning they do not eat meat. Giraffes eat leaves and branches mostly from acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees. They can eat up to 140 pounds of food a day.
Giraffe Predators
Predators of giraffes include lions, leopards packs of hyenas, and wild dogs.
Sadly only 25-50% of baby giraffes make it to adulthood. Many babies are attacked by predators and killed.
A giraffe defends itself from predators by kicking. They can kick so hard that it can kill a lion.
Amazing Giraffe Facts for Kids
Giraffes don’t need much sleep. On average they sleep only 5- 30 minutes a day!
Female giraffes are pregnant for 15 months and give birth standing up.
A baby giraffe can weigh 155 pounds and be 6 ft tall.
Giraffes can go longer than a camel without water.
They can run 37 miles per hour.
Like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spots/patches.
Giraffes communicate by making snorting, hissing, and flute-like sounds.
