How's The Air Up There?
Because they are the tallest living land mammals, giraffes live a unique lifestyle in the dry savannas and open woodlands. With their 1.8 m (6 ft.)-long necks extended above their 1.8 m (6 ft.) tall legs, adult giraffes feed on vegetation that few other herbivores can reach. Bulls forage on high tree branches while cows feed on lower ones which minimizes competition for food. Even though giraffes have record-length necks, they only have seven neck bones, or cervical vertebrae, the same as most other mammals, including humans. These vertebrae are greatly elongated to support their muscular necks.

Giraffes are browsers that prefer to eat new shoots and leaves of thorny acacia trees. They pick through spiky branches with their 18-inch-long, prehensile tongues. Adults forage throughout the day and remain standing to take several momentary naps. Occasionally they lie down but standing allows them to watch for approaching danger.

Giraffe horns differ from those of other hoofed mammals because their bony protrusions are covered by skin and hair. These knobs are found on both sexes but are larger on males. They are an effective tool during combat when rivals sling their thick skulls at each other's necks.

The Mamas And The Papas
Giraffes are gentle, social animals. They frequently travel in loose herds of 100 or more and divide up into smaller groups to forage. These groups consist of cows and juveniles. Adult males generally ream alone in search of females.

A female giraffe may enter estrus, or breeding season, at any time of the year. When a cow is ready to breed, local males court her first by "necking" with one another. Standing side-by-side, two bulls use their necks to swing their bony heads back and forth into each other until one backs off. The bull who out competes all the others at "necking" wins the cow's affection.

After giving birth, mothers move away from the herd for about two weeks. When mothers return with their calves, other giraffes show great interest in the newborns, standing over them and touching them. Calves grow about 0.9 meter (3 ft.) in the first six months of their lives and double their height in a year. While foraging, mothers often leave their offspring in nursery groups. A watchful guardian cow allows calves to explore and play nearby.

Too Big To Hide!
The unusual coats of giraffes have disruptive patterns to camouflage them as they amble through scrubby bush. While predators such as lions, hyenas, leopards, and African wild dogs look for easy prey such as newborns and disabled loners, adult giraffes with their long necks, lanky legs, and good eyesight are rarely surprised by hunters. Also, yellow-billed oxpeckers frequently accompany giraffes in search of insects that light on their backs. These birds cry out a warning if they spot approaching enemies.

Healthy giraffes can defend themselves against attack by running as fast as 56 kph (35 mph) or by lashing out with a powerful kick from their sharp-edged hooves. Predators know it is often safer to attack an animal caught off guard. Because thirsty giraffes must spread out their front legs and lower their heads to reach water, they are most vulnerable when drinking. Fortunately, they can go without drinking for several days.

Tomorrow...
Although common in East Africa, giraffe populations in the rest of Africa have been decimated. Native people use the thick hide for decorating shields, the tail hairs for making jewelry or fly swatters, and the tough meat for food. Many remaining populations are threatened because these giant mammals compete for both land and resources with livestock and may trample farmers' crops. Like many other African animals, the giraffe needs our involvement to protect them and their home into the next century.

Acacia: a tropical or subtropical family of woody plants and trees that often bear thorns