Masai Giraffe
 Plan Your Visit > Exhibits & Animals > Masai Giraffe

Masai Giraffe

   Did You Know?          

>>

Giraffes have the same number of vertebrae (7) in its neck as a human does.
>>

Blood pressure of a giraffe is twice that of a human. When the animal leans down to eat or drink, the blood flow is restricted by valves in the jugular vein. Otherwise the giraffe would faint from a surge of blood to the brain.
>>

A bull eats about 75 pounds per day, eating and chewing cud takes up most of his active hours.
>> The large body surface acts as an air-conditioner. Giraffes do not need to bathe in water or mud like elephants or hippos in order to cool off.
>> The 18 inch tongue is prehensile. It can wrap around leaves and strip them off of branches. The blue/purple color acts to prevent sunburn during the many hours of feeding.
>> The upper lip is also prehensile and aids in stripping leaves from branches.
>> Acacia leaves contain up to 74% water thus reducing their need to drink water. Giraffes can go months without drinking liquid water.

 

 Fast Facts

Size:
Up to 14 - 17 feet tall at the shoulder.

Weight:
Up to 2500-3000 pounds

Diet:
Herbivore: Acacia Leaves are the preferred diet.

Life Span:
Averages 26 years in the wild; 36 years in captivity.

Habitat:
Dry savannas and open woodlands

Fun Facts:
Giraffes can run up to 35mph with strides 15 feet long.

Its heart is 25 pounds and 2 feet long and pumps a bathtub worth of blood every 3 minutes..

Offspring are about six feet tall and weigh around 100-140 pounds, also they drop about six feet to the ground at birth.

Conservation:
Least concern
 

Geographic Location:
South and Central Africa
Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Avenue . Providence, RI 02907 . 401-785-3510
© 2000 - 2010 Roger Willliams Park Zoo and RI Zoological Society. 		  All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
Contact Us
click for giraffe cam