Giraffes are even-toed ungulates (hooved mammals) like antelopes and cattle. Using their long, prehensile tongues and tough lips, they skillfully browse for high-quality food among trees and shrubs, stripping foliage that few other animals can reach.
Giraffe
Zone
Africa
Scientific name
Giraffa Camelopardis Camelopardis
IUCN Red List status
Vulnerable (VU)
Natural habitat
Giraffe habitat includes savannas and open woodlands, as well as semi-desert regions where there are sufficient trees or woody vegetation.
Dietary Requirements
The giraffe diet is composed of leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits. Their favorite are those from acacia species.
Threats
Some of the reasons why the global giraffe population is in decline are habitat loss, climate change, and illegal hunting and poaching. Some human activities, like civil unrest or war, also pose a threat to these ungulates.
Conservation
Conservation efforts focus on giraffe habitat protection, anti-poaching initiatives, and translocation programs to help stabilize and rebuild populations.
Did you know?Despite being up to 2.4 meters long, a giraffe’s neck has only seven vertebrae, which is the same number found in a human neck. Each bone can be over 25 cm long.
Did you know?Each giraffe’s pattern is unique. Like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same coat pattern. These markings help researchers identify individuals in the wild.
About Al Ain Zoo
About Al Ain Zoo
A Pioneering Vision
Established in 1968 by the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Ain Zoo has been in the forefront of preserving the region’s wildlife and delicate ecosystem, while caring for hundreds of endangered animals.
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