WILDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA |
| GIRAFFE
|
Latin Name: Giraffa
camelopardalis Afrikaans: Kameelperd |
 |
Distribution: |
National Parks, Provincial nature reserves and private game reserves. |
Habitat: |
Open woodland and shrub savannah |
| Habits: |
Congregate in herds |
Difference between bull and cow: |
Bulls are larger and usually darker. The bony growth resembling short horns on their heads are actually hair growth. The horns of Bulls are more symmetrical and much thicker than cows – Bulls usually has no tufts or hardly any compared to cows that have tufts of hair on the horns Mass: Bulls - 970 to 1400 kilograms. Cows - 700 to 1000 kilograms Height – Bulls can grow up to more than 5 meters. Cows about 4,5 meters. |
| Lifespan: |
Can live up to about 28 years |
| Breeding / Gestation: |
Single calf born throughout the year. Gestation 15 months. |
| Diet: |
Shrubs and leaves especially from acacia trees. Not water dependent
but will drink if water is available. Day or night – Active day and night |
| Enemies: |
Humans, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Nile Crocodile. |
| Interesting facts: |
They can run at speeds of up to 55 km/h for quite a while. Giraffes can deliver a very powerful and fast kick with front and back feet. |