Animals are curious beings. And although there are a lot of species that are worth discovering, this time we have decided to focus on the curiosities of giraffes. This is an exotic specieswhose anatomy and long neck stand out as its most original point. You live in only a few parts of the world, so you probably haven’t seen one in your country. If this is also your case, do not stop reading, in Supercurious we present you the best fun facts about giraffes.
Says the American entomologist and biologist Edward Wilson, in one of the most famous animal phrasesthat “Each species is a masterpiece, a creation made with extreme care and genius.” Indeed, nature, in its magnanimous immensity, presents us with the most peculiar species.
From dangerous animals that are natural predators, solitary animals that prefer to spend their days getting away from herds, to amazing marine species such as whales or sharks. But among all the diversity of the animal kingdom, one in particular steals the hearts of adults and children alike: the beautiful giraffes.
Top 10 fun facts about giraffes
This imposing mammal is native to the African savannahs. Specifically, we find most of the giraffe population in the northern region of Chad, southern South Africa and in Niger, from western to eastern Somalia.
Open forests, grasslands and savannahs are the natural home of the species, which is enshrined as the tallest of all animals on earth. Its height can rise up to 5.8 meters and its weight ranges between 750 and 1,600 kilograms.
As of 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature he came to consider it a vulnerable species. Although it is not in danger of extinction, its population has decreased by up to 40%, between the years 1985 and 2015.
1. The dream of giraffes
We know that each species has a lot of characteristics that define it, but there are characteristics so rare that they attract attention. The giraffe is counted among the animals that do not sleep, or that hardly sleep. This rare habit is shared with other species such as dolphins, horses or jellyfish. Various studies show that curious giraffes not only sleep standing up, but also they only need a nap of between ten minutes and two hours a day, to recharge their energies.
2. Giraffes are mute
This is one of the most interesting and rare giraffe curiosities. Well, it turns out that this cute animal is the only dumb species in nature. Now, the fact that they are mute does not imply that they do not have their own communication patterns. They make their calls through infrasound, imperceptible to the human ear. These animals lack vocal cords.
3. A very long tongue
It is true, giraffes are mute, or so the man perceives them. But added to the curious facts about giraffes is the fact that they have a very long tongue, which allows them to reach the highest leaves of the trees. Also, by using it constantly, they have it out of their mouths. The tongue of these animals is black, and can measure up to fifty centimeters.
4. Your diet
Among the curiosities of giraffes we add the fact of their particular taste for acacia leaves. They are herbivorous animals, and they prefer this blade given that it is easy to reach it, just moving their long neck slightly.
However, despite their size, the peaceful nature of giraffes makes them targets for predators that, although much smaller, are also more ferocious. Adult giraffes are often preyed on by lions, while the young are attacked by hyenas, leopards, or wild dogs.
5. The horns of the females
The curious facts of the giraffes raise certain differences between the males and the females of the species. Justly In the horns we find the easiest way to identify if a giraffe is female, and it is that they are covered with hair.
Scholars of the species affirm that the genetic explanation for this difference may lie in the mating period, in which the males use their horns to attract the attention of the females. This behavior, sustained for centuries, may have triggered the change.
It also stands out in the species, some differences in behavior. For example, males and females do not compete for foodbut they eat from different parts of each tree.
6. A big heart
The enormous dimensions of giraffes lead to their circulatory system being quite particular. It is adapted to maintain circulation throughout its long body. One of the curiosities of giraffes, in this sense, is the large size of their hearts.
It is an organ that measures approximately 61 centimeters, which can exceed eleven kilograms in weight, and that has the function of generating twice the blood pressure that is required by a human being.
7. Giraffes can go days without water.
It is well known that hydration is one of the fundamental keys to life, for all species. But Among the curious facts about giraffes, we have that these very tall animals are the species that lasts the longest without drinking water. They even surpass camels in this regard. While these can endure two weeks without the vital liquid, giraffes tolerate even three.
8. Their displacements and maximum speed
In addition to their very long necks, giraffes also have very long legs, which allow them to move quickly. His regular pace over long distances is usually around fifteen kilometers per hour, but in case they have to run, they can reach fifty kilometers per hour.
9. Giraffe spots
Another of the lesser known and more interesting curiosities of giraffes is the symbolism of their spots. In the first instance, these are unique marks, such as fingerprints. No two spots are alike. In addition, they are a clear sign of the age of each specimen. Those with lighter spots are the youngest animals in the group, while those with dark spots are the oldest.
10. The origin of his name
As for the name of the giraffes, there are different theories, but the one that gains strength the most is the one that It refers to its origin in the Arabic word “zarafa”, which means “fast walker”. We also find other names, such as “geri”; the Somali name of this animal.
these lovely animals They are among the largest and strongest in nature, but they stand out for their peaceful and gentle nature. They live in large herds, which can reach thirty individuals, and which experts call tower. In the wild, giraffes can live for approximately twenty-five years.
Giraffe curiosities have not only captured the attention of scientists, but even the charm of royalty. So much so, that a French king, upon meeting the majestic animal, wanted to have one for himself. It was in this way that the legendary animal reached European territory, as a gift from the Egyptian Pasha to the monarch. Discover this interesting story in our entry the Giraffe of Carlos X.
And if you count yourself among nature lovers, don’t miss this selection of quotes about animals and the environment, where you will find all the inspiration that our planet in its infinite beauty gives us.