Giraffidae

Giraffidae is a family of ruminant artiodactyl mammals that share a recent common ancestor with deer and bovids. It presently comprises two extant genera, the giraffe (Giraffa) and the okapi (Okapia), both confined to sub-Saharan Africa: giraffes to open savannas, the okapi to the dense rainforest of the Congo. Both genera share skin-covered horns called ossicones, a long black prehensile tongue, lobed canine teeth, and patterned coats that serve as camouflage. Male giraffes are the tallest of all mammals, with their horns reaching about 5.5 meters above the ground, while the okapi stands about 1.7 meters at the shoulder.