Giraffe

V

Reproduction

Female giraffes start to breed when they are about four years old, and they have a gestation period of almost 15 months—one of the longest in the animal world. Males start breeding at about age five, when they begin the ritual combat over mates. Giraffes are only weakly territorial, and a successful male will mate with receptive females whenever and wherever it finds them. Over a year later, when a pregnant female is ready to give birth, she makes her way to a calving area that she will use throughout her life. The moment of birth is dramatic, with the mother standing on all fours and the calf tumbling onto the ground. Remarkably, the calf is rarely injured by its fall.

Newborn giraffes are often on their feet within 20 minutes and are soon feeding on their mothers’ milk. They are about 2 m (6 ft) tall at birth, and double their height in their first year. They are weaned at one year and become fully independent by 15 months of age. Females are fully grown by age five and males by age seven.

VI

Status

Like many of Africa’s large mammals, giraffes have declined in numbers and in range over the last century. At one time, herds of over 100 animals were common in savanna regions across the continent, but today concentrations like these exist only in East Africa—particularly Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

The decline of giraffe populations has largely been due to hunting. In Africa, the giraffe is a traditional source of hide and hair and also of tough but nutritious meat. Hunting of giraffes has not yet had a catastrophic effect, as it has on some of Africa’s big-game animals, but it is a cause for concern. The natural habitat of the giraffe is also being impacted more and more by human activities, reducing the animal’s range.

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The giraffe is currently a protected species throughout most of its range and is classed as conservation-dependent by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The giraffe’s prospects for survival are good for those living in national parks and game reserves, but for animals living outside these areas the future is less secure.

Scientific classification: The giraffe belongs to the family Giraffidae. It is classified as Giraffa camelopardalis.

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