Giraffes, the tallest mammals on Earth, are not only fascinating due to their height but also possess a variety of unique characteristics that many people might not know. Here are 30 interesting facts about giraffes that no one knows, blending fun, strange, and unusual insights into these gentle giants.
30 interesting facts about giraffes that no one knows
Unique Facts About Giraffes
- Giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as humans – seven. The difference is that the giraffe’s vertebrae are much longer, allowing them to reach high into the trees for food.
- A giraffe’s neck alone is taller than many humans, measuring up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) long. Despite their impressive necks, giraffes have the same number of vertebrae as humans – seven.
- Giraffes have no vocal cords, making them mostly silent animals. They communicate through body language, such as swinging their necks, flicking their tails, and making low-pitched grunts.
- Each giraffe has a unique coat pattern, similar to human fingerprints. No two giraffes have the same spot pattern.
- Giraffes only sleep for around 4.6 hours per day, usually in short bursts of a few minutes at a time. This is likely an adaptation to avoid predators.
Crazy Facts About Giraffes
- A giraffe’s heart weighs about 25 pounds and is over two feet long. It pumps 16 gallons of blood per minute.
- Giraffes have the highest blood pressure of any animal, about double that of a human. This helps pump blood up their long necks to their brains.
- Giraffes have a 360-degree field of vision, thanks to their large, square-shaped eyes placed on the sides of their heads. This helps them spot predators from a distance.
- A giraffe’s spots aren’t just a pretty pattern – they serve as camouflage in the dappled shade of the trees. The spots also help regulate body temperature.
- Giraffes have excellent memories and can recognize the voices and faces of other giraffes they’ve met before. They can remember these associations for years.
Fun Facts About Giraffes
- A group of giraffes is called a tower, a herd, or a journey. Giraffes are very social animals and live in close-knit family groups.
- Giraffes have blue-black tongues that are 18-20 inches long. The dark color protects their tongues from getting sunburned as they graze on thorny acacia trees.
- Giraffes only need to drink water every few days, as they get most of their hydration from the plants they eat. When they do drink, they splay their legs out to the side to reach the water.
- Giraffes are pregnant for around 15 months, the longest gestation period of any land mammal. When they give birth, the calf falls about 5 feet to the ground.
- Baby giraffes, called calves, can stand up within an hour of being born and can run alongside their mothers within a day. However, many calves do not survive their first year of life.
Interesting Facts About Giraffes
- Giraffes have the same number of ribs as humans – 27 pairs. The giraffe’s ribs are much longer than those of other animals to suit their lengthy necks.
- Giraffes have no upper front teeth, only bottom teeth. they grab and shred leaves with a hard, bony plate on top of their jaws.
- Male giraffes, called bulls, establish dominance through “necking” – using their long necks to swing at and hit each other. Seldom do these conflicts result in major harm.
- Giraffes have a prehensile tongue, meaning they can use it to grasp and manipulate objects. They groom themselves and others with their tongues as well as pull leaves from trees.
- Giraffes are the tallest living terrestrial animals, with males reaching up to 18 feet tall and weighing up to 3,000 pounds. Slightly smaller, females may grow up to 14 feet tall.
Strange Facts About Giraffes
- Giraffes have only recently been classified into four distinct species: Northern, Southern, Masai, and Reticulated giraffes. Previously, they were considered a single species with several subspecies.
- Giraffes have no upper front teeth, only bottom teeth. Instead, they have a hard, bony plate on the top of their mouth to help them grasp and tear leaves.
- Male giraffes, called bulls, establish dominance through “necking,” using their long necks to swing at and hit each other. These battles rarely cause serious injuries.
- Giraffes have a prehensile tongue, meaning they can use it to grasp and manipulate objects. They use their tongues to strip leaves off branches and to groom themselves and others.
- Giraffes are the tallest living terrestrial animals, with males reaching up to 18 feet tall and weighing up to 3,000 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, reaching up to 14 feet tall.
Random Facts About Giraffes
- Giraffes have only recently been classified into four distinct species: Northern, Southern, Masai, and Reticulated giraffes. Previously, they were considered a single species with several subspecies.
- Giraffes are already extinct in at least seven countries in Africa. Habitat loss and poaching are the main threats to giraffe populations.
- The giraffe’s long neck and legs evolved over millions of years to help them reach high into the trees for food. This adaptation allowed them to avoid competition with other herbivores on the ground.
- Giraffes have a special adaptation to help them drink water without getting dizzy or passing out. When they lower their heads, the blood vessels in their necks constrict to maintain blood pressure to the brain.
- Giraffes have been studied by scientists to help develop better blood pressure medications for humans. Their unique cardiovascular system has inspired new medical treatments.
conclusion
These interesting facts about giraffes that no one knows reveal the complexity and charm of these majestic creatures. Giraffes still captivate and inspire people all around with their special adaptations and social actions. Knowing these fascinating facts about animals like giraffes not only deepens our knowledge but also highlights the need to preserve their habitats and guarantee their existence for future generations.
related: 30 interesting facts about giraffes that no one knows
- https://sibuya.co.za/2018/07/29/giraffe-fun-facts/ – Giraffe Fun Facts – Sibuya Game Reserve
- https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-giraffes – Giraffe guide: species facts, lifespan and habitat – Discover Wildlife
- https://dosomething.org/article/11-facts-about-giraffes – 11 Facts About Giraffes – DoSomething.org
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe – Giraffe – Wikipedia
- https://www.thefactsite.com/random-giraffe-facts/ – 30 Most Random Facts About Giraffes – The Fact Site
