West African Giraffe

1．Animal Profile

COMMON NAME

West African Giraffe

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Giraffa camelopardalis peralta

CLASSIFICATION

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Giraffidae
  • Genus: Giraffa
  • Species: G. camelopardalis
  • Subspecies: G. c. peralta

SIZE

  • Height: 15.7 - 18 feet
  • Weight: 1,764 - 2,646 pounds

POPULATION

Approximately 600 individuals (ECNS)

HABITAT

Savannas and Sahelian zones of West Africa, primarily in Niger

DIET

Herbivorous: leaves, twigs, and fruits from acacia trees and other vegetation

LIFESPAN

  • In the wild: 20 - 25 years
  • In captivity: up to 30 years

2．Family Time: Animal Quiz

How Much Do You Know About West African Giraffes?

  1. What is the primary diet of the West African giraffe?
  2. Grass
  3. Leaves and twigs
  4. Insects

Answer: B. Leaves and twigs

Explanation: West African giraffes primarily feed on leaves and twigs from acacia trees and other vegetation, using their long necks to reach high branches that other herbivores cannot access.

 

  1. How do West African giraffes drink water?
  2. By lying down
  3. By bending their legs and neck
  4. By using their trunk

Answer: B. By bending their legs and neck

Explanation: To drink water, West African giraffes have to spread their front legs and bend their necks down to reach the water source. This makes them vulnerable to predators while drinking.

 

  1. What unique pattern helps identify West African giraffes?
  2. Stripes
  3. Spots
  4. Swirls

Answer: B. Spots

Explanation: West African giraffes have distinctive spot patterns on their coats, which are unique to each individual, much like human fingerprints. These patterns help researchers identify and track individual giraffes.

 

  1. How long is a West African giraffe's gestation period?
  2. 9 months
  3. 12 months
  4. 15 months

Answer: C. 15 months

Explanation: The gestation period for West African giraffes is about 15 months, after which a single calf is usually born. The calf can stand and walk within a few hours of birth.

 

  1. How do West African giraffes communicate with each other?

 

  1. Vocalizations and body language
  2. Color changes
  3. Tail signals

Answer: A. Vocalizations and body language

Explanation: West African giraffes communicate through a variety of vocalizations, such as grunts and snorts, as well as body language, including neck movements and leg positions.

3．Unbelievable Fun Facts About West African Giraffes

West African giraffes have the longest necks of any land animal.

Their necks can be up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) long, allowing them to reach

high foliage that other herbivores cannot.

 

Giraffes have a unique walking pattern called 'pacing.'

Unlike most quadrupeds, giraffes move both legs on one side of their

body simultaneously, creating a distinctive gait.

 

Giraffes' tongues are incredibly long and prehensile.

Their tongues can be up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) long, and they use

them to grasp leaves and twigs. The tongue's dark color helps prevent sunburn.

 

Each giraffe's coat pattern is unique.

 

Much like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spot pattern, which helps researchers identify and track individuals.

 

Giraffes can run at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour).

Despite their height and seemingly ungainly build, giraffes can run

surprisingly fast, especially over short distances.

4．Animal Introduction

The West African giraffe (scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) is a subspecies of giraffe that is distinguished by its lighter and more irregular spot patterns compared to other giraffe subspecies. This unique giraffe inhabits the savannas and Sahelian zones of West Africa, primarily found in Niger. With a population of approximately 600 individuals, the West African giraffe is the most endangered giraffe subspecies.

West African giraffes are herbivores, feeding primarily on leaves and twigs from acacia trees and other vegetation. Their long necks and prehensile tongues allow them to reach high branches that other herbivores cannot access. Giraffes have a unique gait called 'pacing,' where they move both legs on one side of their body simultaneously.

These giraffes communicate through a combination of vocalizations and body language. Vocalizations include grunts and snorts, while body language involves neck movements and leg positions. They have a gestation period of about 15 months, after which a single calf is usually born. Calves can stand and walk within hours of birth, helping them avoid predators.

Despite their height and seemingly awkward build, West African giraffes can run at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour), especially over short distances. Their unique spot patterns help researchers identify and track individuals, as no two giraffes have the same pattern.

Currently, West African giraffes face threats from habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts are critical to protect these magnificent creatures and ensure their survival. Through ongoing conservation work, we hope to see an increase in their population and continued presence in their natural habitats.