Even though giraffes are one of the most recognizable animals on the planet, it wasn’t until the 21st century that biology really set about them.
That is pretty late since giraffes have been quietly disappearing at an alarming rate.
Type of Giraffes and their extinct ancestors
Since the mid-1980s, their population has declined by a startling 40 percent, leaving only an estimated 97,560 individuals in the wild.
Unfortunately, things have only gotten worse since then with the latestupdate this November that highlighted how much trouble they’re in.
“Whilst giraffe are commonly seen on safari, in the media, and in zoos, people – including conservationists – are unaware that these majestic animals are undergoing a silent extinction,” said Dr. Julian Fennessy, co-chair of the IUCN SSC GOSG, and Director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
“While giraffe populations in southern Africa are doing just fine, the world’s tallest animal is under severe pressure in some of its core ranges across East, Central and West Africa. It may come as a shock that three of the currently recognized nine subspecies are now considered ‘Critically Endangered’ or ‘Endangered’, but we have been sounding the alarm for a few years now.”
Unfortunately, they continue to face mounting pressure from a growing human population, human-wildlife conflicts, disease, habitat loss and fragmentation, predators, civil unrest, drought, climate change, being killed for their meat and parts and trophy hunting.
Giraffes will stampede in perceived danger. A giraffe’s height is helpful for keeping a look out for predators, such as lions and hyenas. Their excellent eyesight allows them to spot hungry beasts from far away, too.
If you’re in between them, you can be in danger.
Though an individual’s survival rate is also not well known. Wildlife expert’s have one major suggestion (pretty much – only one ) to help avoid falling victim of their stampede is to try to wade into water.
The reason for this is Giraffes have long been thought as one of the mammals in the world that are not able to swim. Scientists believed that the long neck of the giraffe and the long legs would not provide enough energy to support its neck while in water.
However, in 2010, this fact was disapproved when scientists used complex digital models to prove that just like other mammals, giraffes too can float in water. In the study published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology, it was found that giraffes could supposedly swim.
However, it would require the giraffe to crank its neck in an awkward backward position, and also slant the legs backward.
Lucky for us, Giraffes are classified as herbivores; this means that majority of its diet is made up plant materials.
These animals can adapt to different feeding habitats depending on the plant species available in the area. Giraffes spend most of their time eating; they are said to consume more than 45 kilograms of food in a day.
Giraffes feed mostly on leaves. In the arid grasslands, giraffes survive on acacia leaves and shoot. During the rainy season, giraffes can feed on vines, herbs, and flowers.
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