Every morning when we drive to work we come across the same couple of Giraffe. The collective noun for Giraffe is a Journey or a Tower of Giraffe. They are probably the most photographed and interesting mammals that you will come across on Safari at Vuyani Safari Lodge.
Giraffe are the tallest mammals and male Giraffe can measure between 5 and 6 meters (16-20 ft.) and has an average weight of 1,600 kg for males and around 830 kg for females. Giraffe usually inhabit woodland, savannah and open grassland. Their primary food source is Acacia leaves which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach.
Giraffe are preyed on by Lions and young calves are targeted by Leopard, Spotted Hyena and Wild Dog. Male Giraffe establish hierarchy through “necking” which is combats where the neck is used as a weapon, these encounters can last for quite some time and is amazing to observe. On occasion one of the Giraffe will be knocked to the ground in this battle.
The giraffe has an extensive tongue which measures about 20 cm in length and is a bluish – purple color. The tongue is extremely rough in texture, covered with bristly hairs and this is to protect it against the sharp Acacia thorns. Although the Giraffe boasts such a long neck, it possesses the same amount of vertebrae as a human.
Female Giraffe give birth whilst standing up and the calf can drop for about 6 ft. after a gestation period of 400 to 460 days. The calf is not hurt when it drops to the ground and the umbilical cord it also immediately severed but the fall. Giraffe calves can stand and run within hours of being born, they are around 1.8 meters tall.
Giraffe sleep standing up, but will lie down on occasion keeping their heads erect, as when they are lying down they are extremely vulnerable to predation, also when drinking water. They have to stand with legs apart and lower their necks and head to take a drink. This is an utmost opportunistic time for predators to attack.
It is possible to determine the sex of a giraffe by looking at its horns, both male and female have horns, but the female will have smaller horns covered with hair, whilst the male’s horns will be bare, the hair tends to rub off during the ‘necking’ process.
Giraffe can live for up to 25 years, and I reckon they are one of the most unique and interesting mammals on the African Continent
Photos by Rina Erasmus