Giraffe

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Vulnerable

The giraffe is best known for its impressive height. It sees above the plains of Africa reaching up to 18 feet tall. Giraffes are in the cattle and deer family. They are constantly watching out for predators and consuming vegetation. Lions, leopards, and African wild dogs are among their top predators. The giraffe’s defense system consists of kicking their predators. This act has proven to be very effective and they can scare away the most hungry of lions. Their extremely long, extending tongues help them extend their reach and consume leaves in the tree tops. Giraffes have two horns formed from ossified cartilage and are called ossicones. The giraffe is covered in spots all over its body. This body pattern aids in blending in with their environment. Giraffes require the smallest amount of sleep among land mammals. They sleep in 15 minute intervals every 12 hours. Giraffes can function with as little as 15 minutes of sleep in a twenty four hour cycle.

The giraffe populations are striving fairly well in Africa compared with other animals. Though they do have natural threats such as ear and skin diseases. There are currently two man made threats which are habitat destruction and deforestation.

The giraffe’s tongue is blue and black to prevent sunburn.

Fact or Fiction??

Giraffa camelopardalis