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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Herbivorous browser, feeding primarily on acacia leaves, shoots, and wild fruits
Predators
- Lion
- Leopard
- Spotted Hyena
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, poaching, and land-use changes
HabitatsSavannahs, shrublands, and open woodlands of Southern Africa
Life span20 to 25 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGiraffidae
- SpeciesGiraffa giraffa
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Capable of delivering lethal kicks if threatened; maintain a safe distance during safaris.
- Why it is dangerous
- Can deliver incredibly powerful, bone-shattering kicks with both front and hind legs when cornered or defending calves.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for towering height, long neck, and blotched spots extending down to the hooves.
- What to do
- Never approach on foot; remain inside safari vehicles and keep a distance of at least 30 meters.
Responsible observation
- 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.
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
Close Relative Thomas Fuhrmann / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Michal Sloviak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michal Sloviak · cc-by
Only Living Relative (c) Melvin TOULLEC, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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