Species · GBIF taxon 8959277
Southern Giraffe
Giraffa giraffaAlso known as Two-horned Giraffe, South African Giraffe, Angolan Giraffe
Southern giraffes are towering icons of the African savannah, distinguished by their rounded or blotched spots that extend all the way down their legs to the hooves. They live in loose, non-territorial herds, communicating through low-frequency infrasound that can travel for miles across the plains. These gentle giants spend up to twenty hours a day browsing on acacia leaves, using their long, prehensile blue-black tongues to navigate around formidable thorns.
HerbivoreSavannahDiurnal
Licensed referenceCharles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Herbivorous browser, feeding primarily on acacia leaves, shoots, and wild fruits
- family
- Giraffidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, poaching, and land-use changes
- life Span
- 20 to 25 years in the wild
LC
Capable of delivering lethal kicks if threatened; maintain a safe distance during safaris.
Can deliver incredibly powerful, bone-shattering kicks with both front and hind legs when cornered or defending calves.
Never approach on foot; remain inside safari vehicles and keep a distance of at least 30 meters.- Keep your distance: Always observe from a vehicle at a respectful distance to avoid startling them.
- Watch for warning signs: A giraffe that stops feeding and stares directly at you is alert and may bolt or defend itself.
- Binoculars are best: Use optics to appreciate their intricate coat patterns and prehensile tongues without intruding.