June 16, 2011

Latest The Baby Giraffe

GIRAFFE FACTS

The giraffe got its name from the combination of the camel and the leopard with the name camelopardilis. The ancient Romans and Greeks according to history thought that the Giraffe was a crossbreed of a camel and a leopard.

Giraffe eats up to 75 pounds of food a day which is mainly composed of (typically Acacia leaves) found in the savannah.

Giraffe favorite food is from some of the tallest thorn trees in Africa which are known as Acacia Leaves

The giraffe majestic tongue is 18 inches long and it can reach to the furthest leaves twist them up and bring a whole chunk of leaves into its mouth in a gulp

Since giraffes are ruminants, they have have four chambers in their stomach and after having a nice meal once in a while they will regurgitate their food while they are not eating and most probably while they are resting for additional chewing.

Due to the environmental conditions at the savannah, water is always scarce bu the giraffe always gets most of his water requirements from eating the Acacia leaf. This does not mean that giraffes don't need water, when they find water, giraffes will consume up to 10 gallons of water in a day.

Giraffes don't have horns but the projections on top of their heads act like horns and they are known as Knobs (Ossicones)

Just like all other wild animals in the wild, the giraffe produces less sound while it communicates with its fellow giraffes. It always gives a hissing sound, moos, roar not like a lion or a dog and at times whistle in its own unique way.

The giraffe is blessed with the longest tail n in all the animal kingdom which runs up to 8 feet long.

Giraffes in Nairobi Kenya are treated with a bunch of carrots while at the San Diego zoo they feast on raw onions as a special treat

Ancient Romans and Greeks thought that the Giraffe was a mix between a camel and a leopard. This is where their scientific Genus name of "camelopardalis" comes from.
Their heart is 2 feet long and weighs about 25 pounds
The heart's muscular walls are several inches thick
They have the highest known blood pressure of any mammal in the world – up to 280/180mm Hg when prone at heart level (approximately twice that of an average human)
Their heart beats up to 170 times/minute
Jugular vein contains a series of one way valves that prevent the back flow of blood when the Giraffes head is down to drink water. This prevents the Giraffe from blacking out.
The heart pumps about 16 gallons of blood/minute
Oxpeckers (tick birds) are often seen "hitching" a ride on the backs of Giraffes. They help keep the Giraffe parasite free by eating ticks and other parasites off of the Giraffes skin.

Extreme care must be taken when scientists catch Giraffes for study or for capture for a zoo exhibit. If the Scientists run the Giraffe too long, the Giraffe will suffer a heart attack due to its high blood pressure. Scientists typically target younger Giraffes for this reason.
Have no tear ducts, although they have been seen crying
Have never been observed bathing
Mom Giraffes form a type of daycare for their young. One of the females in the heard will stay behind and baby sits all of the youngsters while the rest of the females go out foraging for food.
Despite its extreme length, the Giraffes neck is actually too short to reach the ground. As a result, it has to awkwardly spread its front legs or kneel on its front legs in order to reach the ground to drink water.

It is the tallest animal in the world

Males stand 16-18 feet; Females 14-16 feet
Males weigh up to 2,000 pounds; Females a bit lighter

Females use their hooves as weapons only to defend their young.

They are strong enough to kill a lion, which is the Giraffe's only real predator.

Born with horns

Both males and females have them.
Covered with skin
Males are thicker and heavier and are used sometimes to fight other males.

Only found naturally in Africa
Their tongue is black

Can gallop 31-37 miles per hour
Form herds and travel together for protection

Their average territorial range is approximately 46 square miles
Males known as bulls

Females known as cows

Can rest standing up

Usually only sleep 5 minutes at a time

When sleeping, the giraffe generally lies on the ground, tucking its front legs under itself, then curls its neck back and rests its head on its rump.

Females have their first conception in their fifth year.

Gestation period is 15 months
Interval between births is generally 20 months

Life expectancy of 25 years in the wild
A baby is generally 6 feet tall and will weigh about 150 pounds at birth

A baby will fall approximately 6 feet during birth before hitting the ground
A baby will begin nursing within one hour
A baby will generally also begin walking within one hour

They spend between 16 and 20 hours a day feeding

The Young Giraffe

Kerplunk! The mother giraffe gives birth standing up so that the baby giraffe falls to the ground from a lofty height of two meters, and it usually starts to the great adventure of life. Fortunately the new-born giraffe always falls on its side thereby avoiding injury to its head. The mother licks it energetically, activating the circulation. After numerous attempts, the baby giraffe manages to stand up, but its long wobbling legs are not yet steady. Now the savannah has one more inhabitant.

In the zoo gentle animals like giraffes may learn to take food from visitors, big and small.

The young okapi bellows like a calf if separated from its mother; after nine months of suckling, it can feed itself. The okapi, a close relation of the giraffe, is found only in the virgin forests of Zaire.

There are different species of giraffes, but they all have the same its. Here we see a Masai giraffe of Kenya with her offspring. young giraffe suckles for ten weeks, but at three weeks he ns to feed on grass as well.

giraffes have excellent eyesight and can see all colours. They quite fearless and will approach cars without the occupants lizing they are being spied on by these curious creatures.

When danger strikes, the young giraffe takes refuge under his mother’s stomach, facing the attacker. With the field free in front of her, the mother giraffe can kick out against the fierce lion.

Encounters between young giraffes and other young animals of the savannah and the bush can produce some funny situations. Here, for example, a giraffe runs away in fright from a little elephant that wants to play.

Shortly alter heaving their den, the cubs engage in their favorite pastime, sliding down an icy slope, just like children.

Introduction:

The giraffe is an iconic and beloved animal known for its long neck and beautiful spots. But have you ever stopped to think about the life of a baby giraffe? From the moment they are born, these gentle giants face unique challenges and dangers. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the life of a baby giraffe and the efforts being made to protect them.

The Life of a Baby:

Baby giraffes, or calves, are born after a gestation period of around 15 months. At birth, they are already about 6 feet tall and can weigh up to 150 pounds! Within a few hours of being born, they are able to stand and walk. They are also able to nurse from their mothers, who produce a special type of milk that is high in fat and protein.

The Challenges Faced by the Baby Animal:

One of the biggest challenges that baby giraffes face is predation. In the wild, they are preyed upon by lions, hyenas, and leopards. Even when they are fully grown, giraffes are still vulnerable to these predators due to their long necks and legs. Another challenge is finding enough food. Giraffes eat leaves from trees, which can be difficult to reach. Baby giraffes have to learn how to use their long necks to reach the leaves they need to survive.

The Dangers of Baby Giraffes:

In addition to predators, baby giraffes also face dangers from humans. Habitat loss, poaching, and climate change all threaten giraffe populations. In fact, giraffe populations have declined by up to 40% in the past 30 years. It's important that we take action to protect these amazing animals and their habitats.

Conservation Efforts to Protect:

Many organizations are working to protect giraffes and their habitats. These efforts include things like habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and education programs. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help ensure that these beautiful animals continue to thrive in the wild.

Fun Facts:

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, with adult males reaching heights of up to 18 feet!

Their long necks actually have the same number of vertebrae as most other mammals, just stretched out.

Giraffes can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour!

They don't need to drink water very often because they get most of the moisture they need from the leaves they eat.

Challenges of Raising a Baby Giraffe:

Raising a baby giraffe is no easy task. In addition to the challenges mentioned earlier, they also require a lot of attention and care. In captivity, keepers must make sure they are getting the right nutrition and exercise to grow properly. They also have to be socialized with other giraffes so they can learn important social skills.

Interesting Facts in Culture:

Giraffes have long been a symbol of grace and elegance. In many cultures, they are associated with spirituality, and their spots are said to represent stars in the sky. In African folklore, the giraffe is sometimes portrayed as a messenger between humans and the gods.

Conclusion:

Baby giraffes may face many challenges, but they are also incredibly resilient and adaptable. With our help, we can make sure that they continue to thrive in the wild. By supporting conservation efforts and learning more about these amazing animals, we can help ensure a bright future for giraffes and their habitats.

Encyclopaedia of Babies of Beautiful Wild Animals

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June 16, 2011

Latest The Baby Giraffe

GIRAFFE FACTS

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