Giraffe
Description: The Giraffe apparently gets its name from the Arabic "Xirapha", which means 'one who walks swiftly, and anyone who has observed Giraffe on the move would agree that this is entirely appropriate. The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world and with its long neck and legs is unmistakable. A beautiful lattice pattern consisting of large, irregular shades parches separated by networks of light-coloured bands covers the body. The colouring of the patches is very variable, ranging from light fawn to almost black. Old bulls are often very dark. Knob-like horns are present on the top of the end of the head and these are well developed in adult bulls.
Habitat: Dry savanna woodland. Giraffe is widely distributed throughout the northern and central parts of Botswana as far south as Khutse Game Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Behaviour: Giraffes are active during the day and at night but usually rest during the hot midday hours. Although they occupy large home ranges that are usually between 20km2 and 85km2, they do not establish defended territories. They are usually seen in herds of from 4-30 individuals, but these groups are unstable and much wandering takes place. Bulls only associate with cows temporarily. Although giraffe are generally believed to be silent they do have a range of grunting and snorting calls.
Food: Giraffe are browsers. Their long neck and legs give them access to a food supply beyond the reach of all other browsers. Although they feed from a fairly wide range of trees and brushes they are selective in what they eat. Twigs are pulled into the mouth by the tips and the long prehensile tongue, which may reach 45cm in length, and the leaves are shredded off into the mouth. Between 15 and 20 hours of each day may be spent feeding.
Reproduction: Calves weighing about 100kg may be born at any time of the year after a gestation period of about 450 days. The newly born calf can stand and walk within an hour of birth but remains isolated from the herd for up to 3 weeks. There is a very high mortality of calves in their first year.
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