Giraffe Pictures and Facts

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Fact: There are nine recognized subspecies of giraffe. They are: the Nigerian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta), the Nubian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis), Baringo (Rothschild's) giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi), Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), Thornicroft's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti), Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum), Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis), and the Southern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa). They live in scattered geographic regions in Africa, and have differing color patterns. Source: Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis

The curious gaze of a giraffe.
Image Source: Kenneth Stansell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Quote: "The giraffe, although from sixteen to twenty feet in height, is perfectly defenceless, and can only trust to the swiftness of its pace and the extraordinary power of vision, for its means of protection. [note: the giraffe also kicks] The eye of this animal is the most beautiful exaggeration of that of the gazelle, while the color of the reddish-orange hide, mottled with darker spots, changes the tints of the skin with the differing rays of light, according to the muscular movement of the body. No one who has merely seen the giraffe in a cold climate can form the least idea of its beauty in its native land." Source: In the Heart of Africa, by Sir Samuel White Baker, (1821-1893)

Three Masai giraffe.
Image Source: Gary M. Stolz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Fact: Ever see a fainting giraffe? If a giraffe's neck didn't contain pumping ventricles in its neck as well as its heart, then the animal would black out every time it raised its head to eat. A giraffe's heart is very big and very busy, pumping up to 20 gallons (75 liters) of blood every minute, and weighing up to 25 pounds (11 kilograms). Source: ThinkQuest Library and University of Colorado