Reticulated Giraffe Flashcards
What is the tallest living mammal?
The giraffe.
Is the giraffe an even or odd toed ungulate?
Even.
What are the horn-like structures on a giraffe called?
Ossicones.
How much can a full grown male giraffe weigh?
1 1/2 tons
How tall can adult male giraffe stand?
18 feet
What is the breeding season for giraffes?
They have none.
How old are giraffes when they are sexually mature?
4 years.
What is the gestation period of a giraffe in months?
14 months
True or false? Giraffes give birth standing up.
True.
How tall are baby giraffes when they are born?
6 feet.
How much does a baby giraffe weigh?
Around 100 pounds
How long does it take before a baby giraffe can stand?
One hour.
How many years old is a young giraffe when it is weaned?
One.
How many months does a young giraffe stay with its mother for after it is weaned?
Three.
How long does a giraffe live?
15 years.
What is the range and habitat of the giraffe?
Scattered through sub-Saharan Africa, but mainly in the grasslands and savannas of Kenya and Tanzania.
What do giraffes eat?
Leaves, bark, twigs, flowers, and fruit.
What is the favorite tree of the giraffe?
The acacia.
How large are the herds that female giraffes make with young males?
20
True or false? Adult male giraffes are often solitary, but young males may form bachelor groups.
True.
True or false? The giraffe is a pseudoruminant.
False. It is a true ruminant.
When do giraffes feed and drink?
Morning and evening.
What do giraffes do in the afternoon?
Rest and chew cud.
What is “necking”?
It is when two giraffes will slam their necks together to establish hierarchy or show affection.
How many hours of sleep do giraffes require a day?
Two hours.
True or false? Giraffes sleep standing up.
False. They sit on their legs by folding them beneath.
True or false? Necking often results in giraffes getting injured.
False. It’s pretty rare.
What kinds of sounds can giraffes make?
Grunts, hisses, coughs, bellows, and whistles.
How fast can giraffes run?
Up to 30 mph
How do giraffes prevent predator attacks while drinking?
They will travel in herds and take turns drinking and watching for predators.
How do giraffes run and what is this technique called?
They move both legs on one side of their body one at a time. This is called pacing.
Describe the adaptions of the giraffe’s tongue.
It is long so it can grab distant leaves and gooey so that it can coat thorny plants in saliva.
How large and heavy is a giraffe’s heart?
It is the size of a basketball and weighs about 25 pounds.
What are a giraffe’s spots supposedly used for?
Camouflage.
Are the spots of a dominant male giraffe’s hide darker than others?
Yes.
What is the role of the giraffe in its habitat?
It eats the upper-story vegetation.
What are the predators of giraffes?
Lions and crocodiles.
How do giraffes benefit other herbivores?
They have a wider view of the area, which means other herbivores can use them to spot predators.
What do humans hunt giraffes for?
Hide and meat.
How many vertebrae do giraffes have in their neck?
Seven. (Same as humans)
How many species and subspecies of giraffe are there?
No one is really sure because of all the debate. But it is most likely nine subspecies.
What is the conservation status of the giraffe?
Least concern.
Are giraffe populations on the decline?
Yes.
What are the two main threats to giraffes?
Hunting and deforestation.
How long in inches is a vertebrae in a giraffe’s neck?
Ten inches.
What was an old nickname for the giraffe?
The camel leopard.
Where does the name “giraffe” come from?
The Arabic word “Zafara”, which means fast walker.
Who used giraffes famously to show evolutionary advantage?
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
What are the bumps on the tops of the skull of adult male giraffes?
Calcium deposits that form as they age.
Why does the giraffe have thick skin?
so it can run through thorn bushes without being injured.
Who bears the responsibility of raising the young giraffes?
The female.
True or false? Some subspecies of giraffe are considered endangered.
True. (West African Giraffe is an example)
What is the Swahili word for giraffe?
Twiga.
When did giraffes evolve?
Around 8 million years ago.
What is hypothesized to have caused giraffes to evolve so fast?
Their habitat change and their diet of acacia. (Acacia is high in toxins which may have caused mutations)
Can giraffes see in color?
Yes.
What color is the skin of a giraffe?
Gray.
Are ossicones made from bones?
No. They are made from cartilage.
How is a giraffe’s skull lightened?
It has multiple sinuses.
How many times higher is the blood pressure of a giraffe?
Twice that of a human.
What is the name of the complex series of arteries and veins that a giraffe has that prevent too much blood flow to its head?
Rete mirabile.
Explain the significance of animal dances in the culture of the San people southern Africa and describe what the giraffe dance does.
Animal dances are used to heal ailments and the giraffe dance heals head ailments.
What is the native east African explanation for how the giraffe got its long neck?
It ate too many magic herbs.
What culture believed the giraffe was a hybrid of a camel and leopard?
The Romans.
Why are scientists looking to giraffes when designing suits for astronauts and pilots?
Giraffes have special adaptions that prevent blood rushes to their legs and head.
What kinds of things do natives make out of giraffe skin?
Shields, shoes, and drums.
