Giraffe

Giraffes are found in parts of Africa and are the tallest mammals on Earth standing at an average of 6 metres tall. The giraffe is able to reach twigs and leaves at the top of trees that other animals cannot get to thanks to the vast length of the neck of the giraffe. The giraffe is thought to be related to cattle and deer, and inhabit plains, grasslands and wooded areas. Giraffes can spend long periods of time in hot, dry lands as the giraffe is able to drink enormous quantities of water when they come across it.

Male giraffes tend to be more solitary animals than the female giraffes. Female giraffes can often be found in small groups on the African Savannah normally with their young giraffes following close behind their mother giraffes. Despite the fact that a giraffes head is approximately 6 m above ground, the common theory that giraffes are more flexible than the average animal is untrue as the giraffe has the same amount of bones in its neck as any other animal, which is 7. The giraffe is also unable to turn its head back.

The giraffe has spots covering its entire body which is believed to help the giraffe camouflage itself slightly in the African wilderness. Giraffes however, do not have spots on the underside of their tummies and each giraffe has spots that are truly unique to the giraffe as an individual.

The giraffe has a hoof-like foot that is split into sections that provide the giraffe with a greater surface area and therefore better balance. The average hoof of an adult giraffe is about the same size as a dinner plate and can reach 12 inches in diameter. When a giraffe walks, the giraffe moves both feet on one side of the body first and then moves both feet on the other side of their body. Source

Article by En.wikipedia.org