The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the world's tallest land mammal. They live in Central, East, and South Africa's wide grasslands and savannah forests. They are herd animals that can live in herds of up to 44. Giraffes are known for their tall necks and legs, horn-like ossicones that differ between sexes, and unusual colour and coat patterns. While traditionally considered to be one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies, a division of giraffes into up to eight extant species has been proposed, based upon research. Additionally, seven other extinct species of Giraffa are known from the fossil record. Let us understand different features and how tall is a giraffe?

Height and other Physical features of a giraffe

Male giraffes are taller than female giraffes, and a mature giraffe is between 16 and 20 feet tall. The tallest male giraffe stands at 20 feet, while female giraffes stand at 16 feet. Newborn giraffes stand six feet tall, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, and male babies are taller than female infants. Calves can reach a height of 12 feet in the first year of their life.
The giraffe's long, slender legs, which measure an average of six feet are adapted to long-distance fast speeds of up to 29 mph especially when defending their new-born calves, contribute to their massive weight. They utilize their legs for walking as well as for defence against enemy attacks. When walking, the giraffe balances itself by moving its legs to one side of the body and relies on the forward and backward motion of its neck and head. Giraffes defend themselves against predators by unleashing massive kicks with either their front or hind foot. Only a single kick of giraffe is enough to fracture a lion’s back bone. They possess long and sticky tongue that can reach 21 inches in length. The tongue has evolved to hold twigs and branches of thorny acacia trees and shrubs, which provide a rich source of protein and calcium for the giraffe's rapid growth.

The giraffe's extended neck is responsible for a large portion of its vertical height. The male giraffe's neck can grow to be 7 feet long, while in the females it can grow up to 5 feet long. Giraffes have seven neck bones, the same as other animals, and their neck length is due to a disproportionate lengthening of the cervical vertebrae rather than the addition of more vertebrae. According to Charles Darwin's competing browsers hypothesis, giraffes' lengthened neck evolved in response to competitive pressure for food from smaller browsers like the impala and kudu. Necking is a combat behaviour in which Male giraffes use their necks as a weapon in order to assert dominance and increase reproductive success. Giraffes flail their heads in high-intensity necking, striking thumping blows on the opponent's legs and body until the winner shows authority by mounting the loser.
Adult giraffes can weigh up to 2,800 pounds to suit their vast body height, while newborns weigh only 200 pounds. The heart and lungs, which are the largest among land mammals, weigh 25 pounds, and the air is circulated through their 8-foot-long windpipe.

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How tall is a giraffe