Giraffe Fun Facts
Did you know that giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans?
Giraffes can run up to speeds of 35 miles per hour!
A giraffe’s tongue can be up to 21 inches long.
Giraffes have such a good eyesight that they can see a predator from a mile away.
Despite their long necks, giraffes only have seven vertebrae, just like humans.
The average height of a giraffe is around 16-20 feet.
Male giraffes fight by swinging their necks, which is called necking.
Giraffes can go without drinking water for weeks, as they get most of their moisture from the leaves they eat.
Giraffes have a unique pattern of spots similar to a human’s fingerprint.
The sound a giraffe makes is called a bleat, which is similar to a sheep’s sound.
The tallest recorded giraffe measured 19.3 feet tall!
Contrary to popular belief, giraffes only sleep for about 30 minutes in a 24-hour period.
Giraffes have a four-chambered stomach, similar to cows.
A giraffe’s heart is about two feet long and weighs approximately 25 pounds!
Giraffes have prehensile tongues, which means they can wrap their tongues around objects.
The main purpose of a giraffe’s long neck is to reach leaves on tall trees.
This extra-long neck also helps giraffes sense danger from afar.
Giraffes give birth standing up, so their newborns have quite a fall!
Giraffes have a unique adaptation called rete mirabile that helps regulate blood flow.
Giraffe Fun Facts part 2
The distinct coloration of a giraffe’s coat helps them blend in with their surroundings.
A group of giraffes is called a tower, which is quite fitting with their tall stature.
The horns on a giraffe are called ossicones and are made of ossified cartilage.
Giraffes have one of the shortest sleep durations of any mammal.
The first scientific name for giraffes was camelopardalis, as they were thought to be a mix of camels and leopards.
Giraffes have a highly developed sense of hearing, allowing them to communicate with each other from long distances.
The gestation period for a giraffe is around 15 months, one of the longest among mammals.
A giraffe can eat up to 75 pounds of leaves in a single day!
Giraffes have a prehensile upper lip, enabling them to grasp and pull leaves.
The lifespan of a giraffe in the wild is usually around 25 years.
Giraffes have specially adapted blood vessels in their neck to prevent fainting when lowering their heads to drink water.
Giraffes have excellent balance, enabling them to kick predators with their powerful legs.
Giraffes have a keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect predators from a distance.
Unlike most other mammals, giraffes have their sweat glands in their hooves instead of their skin.
The tongue of a giraffe is bluish-black in color to protect it from sunburn while eating leaves.
A giraffe has a heart rate of about 150 beats per minute.
Giraffes have a unique digestive system that allows them to consume thorny acacia leaves without harm.
Giraffes are social animals and live in loose herds.
A giraffe’s neck is not long enough to reach the ground for a drink, so they have to spread their legs or kneel down to drink water.
A giraffe can drink up to 10 gallons of water in just a few minutes.
A giraffe’s skin is thick and spotted, providing protection from the sun and camouflage from predators.
Giraffes have four knees, just like any other quadruped mammals.
The average weight of a giraffe’s heart is about 25 pounds.
Giraffes have long eyelashes to protect their eyes from the sun and dust.
A giraffe’s saliva is antiseptic and helps protect their tongue from abrasions while eating thorny plants.
Giraffes have a unique way of drinking water called siphoning, where they use their long tongues to create suction.