BARlNGO GIRAFFE Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi MAMMAL Order Artiodactyla Description Males 16-19 ft tall, up to 3300 lbs; females 15-16 ft tall, up to 1320 lbs. Coat has rectangular brown spots outlined in cream color; underparts light and faintly spotted. Pair of short, bony horns covered with skin and hair on top of head in both sexes. Range Africa, south of the Sahara, specifically northern Kenya and Uganda.

Ecology Habitat dry, open wooded areas, tree-dotted plains, savanna. Niche browser: feeds on leaves and buds of acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees plus lower vegetation where it is easily found. Feeds together with ostrich, zebra and antelope. Diurnal; lives in small herds of females and young dominated by a single, adult male. There is a rank order within the herd. Life History Mating is non-seasonal. Gestation 14-15 mo; single calf weighs 100-150 lbs, 6 ft tall at birth, able to follow mother about 1 hour after birth. Mother defends calf from predators with vigor. Females mature at 5 yrs. Life span about 25 yrs in the wild, as long as 28 yrs in captivity. Special Adaptations Long neck allows animal to feed among treetops and spot predators. Extra large heart pumps blood to brain; giraffe heart is 2-3 times stronger than a human heart. Long, tough, prehensile tongue pulls leaves from branches and is not damaged by thorns during feeding. Special muscles open and close nostrils, and long eyelashes also protect against dry, dusty wind. Spotted coat camouflages animal among trees. Hooves and long legs aid in running; giraffes move a special way to keep from tripping over their own legs. Front legs are placed be tween the hind legs. When walking, both right legs move together, then both left legs.