Weird n' Wild Creatures Wiki
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With its long, flexible neck and sloping body, the giraffe is one strange looking animal. But it's this weird-looking body that helps the giraffe thrive in the wilds of Africa. The giraffe is the tallest mammal on Earth and has the longest neck. This animal's incredible height gives it a feeding advantage over other animals and helps it see predators coming before they get too close.

Licking Good: A giraffe's tongue can be as long as 18 inches. The tongue acts like fingers, allowing the giraffe to pluck the leaves from the thorny branches on its favorite tree, the acacia. A giraffe also uses its tongue to clean its eyes and nostrils!

Spotted: Every giraffe has a different coat pattern-just like human fingerprints. Giraffes that live in different regions have different shaped spots. Their coats can range from light tan to black depending on the food they eat.

Walking Tall[]

Giraffe Back Image

As giraffes run, their heads and necks bob up and down to keep them balanced.

An adult giraffe's great height and excellent eyesight makes it a hard target for predators. Before a lion can get close enough to attack, the giraffe is making its escape, reaching speeds of up to 35 mph as it gallops across the savannah. If a giraffe is cornered by a predator, it will defend itself with its sharp hooves and powerful legs. A swift kick from a giraffe could crush a lion's skull.

Rubber Necking: A giraffe's long neck has seven vertebrae-the same number that humans have! A special neck joint enables the giraffe to point its nose straight up into the air to reach high branches.

They're All Heat: It's a long way from a giraffe's heart to its brain. Pumping blood that far requires a big heart-one that can weigh up to 25 pounds. A human heart only weighs about a pound.

Big Gulp[]

A drinking giraffe is a strange sight. Special neck valves help control blood flow when the giraffe lowers and raises its head. This keeps it from passing out when it bends over to drink. Giraffes get a lot of moisture from acacia leaves, so they only need to drink every 2 to 3 days. In fact, they need less water than camels!

Trivia[]

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