PRINT A4 - ZOO Giraffe

The giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, is the world’s tallest land animal, typically standing over 5 meters tall and weighing between 700 and 1200 kg. The animal lives on the northern African savannah, where its long neck lets it nibble leaves from tall acacia trees. Thanks to its long tongue of around 45 cm, it avoids being pricked by the tree’s thorns. In general, the giraffe mostly eats leaves, buds and twigs and spends much of the day feeding. An adult giraffe eats about 35 kg of twigs and leaves per day.

The animal is easily recognized by its dark patches on an otherwise light-brown coat and its long neck, which incidentally makes drinking difficult. Because of its long forelegs, the giraffe has to spread its legs or bend its knees to reach the water.

Giraffes move in herds of up to 50 individuals. Despite this, the animal is not very social, so some giraffes may leave a herd to find a new one.

The female giraffe is pregnant for almost 15 months and gives birth to a single calf of about 2 meters. It stays with the mother for around 18 months and reaches sexual maturity after four years.

In the wild, a giraffe lives to around 25 years.

All art prints in the zoo series are also available in A3