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| Mammals > Giraffe > Fact Sheet |
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Only at AmericaZoo THE GIRAFFE STORE FEATURED PRODUCTS  |
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Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia) Subclass: True Mammals (Eutheria) Order: Even-toed Mammals (Artiodactyla) Family: Giraffidae Endangered? No Life Span: 25 years in the wild, 28 years in captivity Relatives: The okapi is the giraffe's only living relative. Geographic Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa. Most numerous in East Africa and the northern parts of southern Africa. Habitat: Open woodlands and wooded savannas. Size: Adult males can stand up to 18 feet tall and weigh as much as 4,200 pounds. Females reach about 16 feet and 2,500 pounds. Maximum Speed: Up to 35 miles per hour for short distances. Reproduction: Giraffes breed year-round. Gestation is 14 to 15 months. Twins are rare. Predators: Lion, crocodile, and man. Defense: Size, speed, and a massive front hoof that can kill a lion with a single blow. Diet In the Wild: In the wild, acacia leaves are a favorite. They contain a lot of water, which enables the giraffe to go a long time without water. They also eat leaves from high in the tops of various deciduous and evergreen trees and some shrubs, and their tough lips allow them to eat spiny and thorny plants, but they're very selective. Diet At the Zoo: It varies from one zoo to the next, but they may eat alfalfa hay and pellets; fruit including carrots, apples, and/or bananas; various leaves, including acacia of course; and leaf-eater biscuits. |
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See the rest of the GIRAFFE EXHIBIT
Habitat & Geographic Distribution Physical Description Behavior Giraffe Babies & Reproduction Predators Diet Ask Katie Your Giraffe Questions The Giraffe Store... Stuffed Giraffes, Toys, Collectibles, Wearables, Kids' Decor & more Giraffe Photo Gallery Fun Facts & Brain Squeezers... If you can't see the hidden boxes, this page is for you. Printable Fact Sheet Giraffe Links... A few of our favorite places. For More Information:
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