Giraffe Facts
Giraffes are amazing animals! Here are some fun facts that JGC member, Aglaia, has gathered.
Let’s learn all about giraffes eyes!
3. Eye growth of giraffe eyeballs.
They increase in size and their vision shifts form monocular (as babies) to binocular as they grow . Monocular is when each eye is used independently. Binocular means that both eyes are used at the same time.
6. How far can giraffes see?
Giraffes can see a moving human 1.6 km (1 mile) away and detect movement 2 km (1.2 miles) away. Giraffes' height provides them with a real advantage.
“Eye” Didn’t Know About That!
1. Humans have 5 senses. What about giraffes senses?
Giraffes, in fact, also use 5 senses! Giraffes use smell, hearing, taste, touch, and sight. Sight is their most predominant sense that they use.
2. How big are giraffe’s eye balls?
Giraffes have the biggest eye balls of all land mammals. Giraffes eyes are about the size of a golf ball vs humans, which eyes are about the size of a ping-pong ball. Isn’t that incredible?!
4. Giraffe eye placement.
Giraffes' eyes are on either side of their head and slightly bulging. Giraffes have wide-angled peripheral vision (side vision) so they can see quite a lot - even seeing behind themselves. Wow!
7. How do giraffes protect their eyes?
Just like us, giraffes have eyelashes, eyelids, eyebrows, and tears to protect their eyes. Humans and giraffes have so much in common!
5. Do giraffes see in color?
Giraffes are one of the few mammals that can see in color! They can see blue, dull yellow and gray shades. As well, giraffes can see in dim light.
Did you know?
Giraffes can see their feet AND a few metres ahead of them - at the same time - while walking!
Scroll down to read more giraffe facts!
Are there white giraffes?
White giraffes exist but are very rare. If they have dark eyes and pigment (colour) in their tail they are not albino, but instead have a condition called leucism which is a partial loss of pigmentation and is a result of a one-time genetic mutation.
Photo: “Omo” the giraffe, in the Tarangire National Park, has leucism. Special thanks to Wild Nature Institute for this beautiful photo. By the way, can you see the two oxpeckers on Omo’s neck?
What do giraffes eat?
Giraffes in the wild like to eat leaves from the nutritious acacia trees, bushwillow trees and sausage trees. They eat almost 100 species of bushes and trees.
Photo by: Ian Dagg
How much do giraffes eat?
An adult giraffe in the wild can eat up to 145 lbs (pounds) of food a day!
Do giraffes sleep?
Giraffes do sleep but only for 5-30 minutes at a time because they are afraid that a predator might come and eat them. If they are asleep, they would be easy to catch. In a 24-hour period, they will only sleep about 2-3 hours in total.
How hard can a giraffe kick?
One strong kick from a giraffe can break a lion’s neck.
What are giraffes horns really called?
Giraffes “horns” are called ossicones. Males and females have them and they are made of ossified cartilage covered in skin and fur! The cartilage is replaced by bone when they become adults.
Every giraffe has a unique set of spots like humans have unique fingerprints.
This photo includes all nine sub species of giraffes and their different and unique spots!
What is the origin of the giraffe name?
The origin of the giraffe name comes from the greek “Giraffa camelopardalis” which means “fast walking camel-leopard”.
How long is the giraffe’s tail?
Did you know that giraffes have the longest tails of all mammals? Giraffes' tails can grow up to 2.4 metres (8ft long) including their black tuft!
Photo by: Ian Dagg
What do the giraffes use their tails for?
Giraffes use their tails to swat away flies and other insects and lift their tails while running to keep away from predators’ reach.
What are the birds you see on giraffes?
Since giraffes are very big, there are a lot of places where ticks can attach. Luckily, the giraffes have a helping hand from the African oxpecker bird. The giraffe and the African oxpecker have a symbiotic relationship (two different organisms benefiting from each other). The African oxpecker can feast off the bugs and the tick larvae on the giraffes and the giraffes have fewer ticks!
Do giraffes trot?
Giraffes don’t trot like other ungulates (animals with hooves) do. Giraffes can’t trot because their back legs are so long, they would hit their front legs with each step. When they need to move quickly, giraffes will gallop in a similar manner to horses and can reach speeds of up to 56km/hr (35 miles/hr) for up to 2km (1.2 miles). Although the giraffe's main predator, the lion, can run faster at 80 km/hr (50 miles/hr), they can only do it for short distances.