Factfile
Where they live
Widespread across southern and eastern Africa, smaller populations in west and central Africa.
Habitat
Forest and arid savannah
Size
Height up to 5.5m (male) and 4.5m (female)
Weight
800-1500kg
Lifespan
10-15 years in the wild over 25 years in captivity
Threats
Hunted by humans for food and sport, habitat loss
Did you know...
- Giraffe can gallop at up to 56 kilometres per hour to avoid predators
- Each giraffe has a unique coat pattern
- Giraffe appear to have gone extinct in at least seven countries (Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal)
More about Giraffes...
Giraffe often form small scattered herds of up to 10 animals, with young males living together in bachelor groups. Males become solitary as they mature, with dominant males spending most of their time seeking females in season.
Female giraffe are pregnant for 15 months, and give birth standing up meaning their young fall two metres to the ground. New born calves are around 1.8m tall and can stand within an hour of birth to suckle from their mother. However, for the first two weeks, they spend most of their time lying down being guarded by their mother.
Giraffe are herbivores who exclusively browse for vegetation, spending up to 20 hours a day feeding. Their tongue is about 45cm in length, which enables them to reach up into trees and pull leaves down.
How you can help...
Adopt a Giraffe!
Help prevent animals from becoming extinct by adopting an animal, you'll be supporting our zoo too!
Gold Adoption
Help support our zoo with a Gold adoption package with an additional zoo admission ticket, and personalised message displayed outside your adopted animalʼs enclosure.
£55.00
Find out moreSilver Adoption
Help support our zoo with a Silver adoption package it includes an adoption certificate, a zoo admission ticket and lots of zoo treats!
£41.50
Find out more
