Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world

Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world with even new-born babies being taller than most humans. Males can grow up to 18 feet tall; their legs alone are taller than most humans that is about 6 feet. Similarly, a giraffe’s neck can measure up to 6 feet long; while their tongue can grow up to 21 inches in length.

However, giraffe’s neck is too short to reach the ground, so it has to awkwardly spread its front legs or kneel to reach the ground and drink water.

Little water is all they need

Giraffes only need to drink once every few days. Most of their water comes from all the plants they eat; and it is said that they can go longer without drinking water than camels can.

Giraffes are sociable

Giraffes are sociable, peaceful animals which rarely fight.

However, males do perform a behaviour called ‘necking’ where they will hit necks; however, these encounters rarely last more than a couple of minutes and seldom result in injury.

Survival of the fittest

Despite the females’ attempts to stand over their calves during attacks by lions, spotted hyenas, leopards and African wild dogs, 50 per cent of calves are killed in their first six months.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 6th, 2015