Mammal · GBIF taxon 2441205
Northern Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalisAlso known as Three-Horned Giraffe
Northern giraffes roam the savannahs and open woodlands of Central and East Africa, browsing high in the canopy where other herbivores cannot reach. Towering over the landscape, they use prehensile black tongues up to forty-five centimeters long to strip thorn-laden acacia leaves. Males frequently engage in necking duels, swinging their heavy necks and ossicones to establish dominance within loose herds.
HerbivoreSavannahTallest Mammal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Acacia leaves
- Vachellia shoots
- Wild fruits
Predators
- Lion
- Spotted Hyena
- Nile Crocodile
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, and armed conflict
HabitatsSavannahs, shrublands, and open arid woodlands
Life span20 to 25 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyGiraffidae
- GenusGiraffa
- SpeciesGiraffa camelopardalis
Native Introduced
Native range in olive; established introduced range in rust.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Powerful kicks can be fatal; observe from a safe distance inside a vehicle.
- Why it is dangerous
- Their massive size and heavy legs allow them to deliver lethal kicks to protect themselves or their young.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by their extraordinary height, long necks, patterned coats, and ossicones.
- What to do
- Maintain a respectful distance on safaris and never step between a mother and calf.
- What to notice
- Look for two main ossicones accompanied by a prominent third central forehead bump in adults.
- Support conservation
- Support reputable wildlife sanctuaries and strictly follow guide instructions on game drives.
Responsible observation
- Safari etiquette: Observe wild herds from inside a vehicle at a safe distance.
- Feeding behavior: Watch for their long prehensile tongues wrapping around sharp thorns.
- Spotting feature: Look for the central forehead bump on mature individuals.
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Michal Sloviak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michal Sloviak · cc-by
Close Relative "Masai Giraffe / Masai Mara / Kenya" by fotopamas is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Forest Relative (c) Melvin TOULLEC, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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