The giraffe is the tallest living land animal, native to the savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, known for its extremely long neck and legs, a coat patterned with brown patches separated by lighter lines, and two or more skin-covered horn-like ossicones on its head. Its height, which can reach up to about 5.5 metres, allows it to browse leaves, particularly from acacia trees, well above the reach of most other herbivores, and its long legs let it run at surprising speed despite its size. Giraffes live in loose, open herds, and although once classified as a single species, genetic research has led some taxonomists to split it into several distinct giraffe species; overall giraffe numbers have fallen substantially in recent decades due to habitat loss and poaching.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceAn extremely long neck and legs, a coat patterned with brown patches separated by lighter lines, and two or more skin-covered horn-like ossicones on top of the head. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Wikipedia: Giraffe
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Hippopotamus
Additional Source Okavango Delta (Wikipedia)Article text
Parent Taxon Of
Source Northern giraffe (Wikidata)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Giraffe (Wikipedia)
IntroductionQuote, Introduction
The distinguishing characteristics of giraffes are their extremely long neck and legs, horn-like ossicones, and spotted coat patterns.
2. Wikipedia: Giraffe
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
They are the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largest ruminants on Earth.
- infobox status=VU
Article text
In 2019, giraffes were listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means international trade including in parts/derivatives is regulated.
system (entity description states it plainly, diet)
Its height, which can reach up to about 5.5 metres, allows it to browse leaves, particularly from acacia trees, well above the reach of most other herbivores, and its long legs let it run at surprising speed despite its size.
Infobox: status
VU
- In Biome: Savanna, Wikipedia intro: "uth Africa in the south and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannahs and woodlands. Their food source is leaves, fruits..."
View the Source3. Giraffe (Wikipedia)
4. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Giraffa
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyTaxon recordQuote, Taxon record
"canonicalName": "Giraffa"
Wikidata: Giraffe
Wikidata Q862089, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: ArtiodactylaView the Source Northern giraffe (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Northern giraffe, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q862089 (Giraffe)View the Source Okavango Delta (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem: Okavango Delta, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Okavango Delta, Article text
species include the giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains zebra, hippopotamus, impala, common eland, greater kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, puku, waterbuck, sitatunga, tsessebe, cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, caracal, serval, aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, African savanna hare, honey badger,
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