# Reticulated Giraffe (*giraffa reticulata*) The Reticulated Giraffe is the tallest land animal on Earth! With its long neck and beautiful spotted coat, it can see for miles in the savanna. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Savannas and open woodlands in Africa - **Also known as:** African Giraffe, Tallest Animal ![Reticulated Giraffe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Payamfarahani_-_africa_%2814%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Payamfarahani, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Payamfarahani_-_africa_%2814%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Reticulated Giraffe has a striking coat pattern of large, polygonal, liver-colored or orange-brown spots, clearly separated by a network of creamy white lines. These lines create a distinctive, net-like appearance, making it visually different from other giraffe subspecies with more irregular patches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Giraffidae - **Genus:** Giraffa ## Interesting facts - A giraffe's tongue can be up to 45 cm (18 inches) long and is bluish-black! - Baby giraffes can stand up and even run within an hour of being born! - Giraffes sleep standing up, but only for short naps, sometimes lying down. - Their huge hearts can weigh over 10 kg (22 pounds) to pump blood effectively. ## Special abilities - **Blood Pressure Power:** Reticulated Giraffe has a super-strong heart and special valves that help pump blood up their long neck. - **Nature's Net Camouflage:** Reticulated Giraffe has a distinct, net-like coat pattern that helps them blend perfectly with savanna shadows. - **Powerful Kick Defense:** Reticulated Giraffe can deliver a powerful kick in any direction that helps them defend against predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 430-570 cm - **Weight:** 550-1930 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-25 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 400-460 days ## Diet & Feeding These tall vegetarians love munching on leaves, twigs, and fruits from trees and shrubs. - **Primary Foods:** Acacia leaves, Commiphora leaves, Terminalia leaves, shrubs, fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Umbrella Thorn Acacia (*Vachellia tortilis*) — A primary food source for giraffes in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions are a main predator, especially targeting young or weak giraffes. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas are known to prey on giraffe calves when opportunities arise. - **Eats:** Red Acacia (*Acacia seyal*) — Another common acacia species browsed by giraffes. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Reticulated Giraffe? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Reticulated Giraffe? 430-570 cm ### How much does Reticulated Giraffe weigh? 550-1930 kg ### How long does Reticulated Giraffe live? 10-25 years ### How fast can Reticulated Giraffe move? 60 km/h ### What does Reticulated Giraffe eat? These tall vegetarians love munching on leaves, twigs, and fruits from trees and shrubs. ### Where is Reticulated Giraffe usually found? Savannas and open woodlands in Africa ### How does Reticulated Giraffe hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Birmingham Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-zoo) — Alabama, US · Zoo - [Cameron Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cameron-park-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Cape May County Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-county-park-and-zoo) — New Jersey, US · Zoo - [Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chattanooga-zoo-at-warner-park) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [Colchester Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colchester-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo [View all places to see Reticulated Giraffe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/reticulated-giraffe) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Reticulated Giraffe: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reticulated-giraffe)