Reticulated giraffe
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Giraffa reticulata
Classification What groups
does this organism belong
to based on characteristics shared with
other organisms?
Class: Mammalia (all mammals)
Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed
ungulates)
Family: Giraffidae (giraffes and
okapis)
Genus: Giraffa (giraffe)
Species: reticulata (reticulated giraffe)
Distribution Where in the
world does this species live?
Reticulated giraffes can be found
across northern and north-eastern
Kenya, and small restricted
populations most likely persist in
southern Somalia and southern Ethiopia.
Habitat What kinds of areas does this species live in?
They inhabit open woodlands and dry savannas with trees, especially various species of acacia trees.
Physical Description How would this animal’s body shape and size be described?
• Giraffes are the tallest land mammals.
• Males range from 16-18 feet (4.8-5.5 m) tall and weigh as much as 4,200 pounds (1,900 kg);
females reach 14-16 feet (4.3-4.8 m) tall and weigh up to 2,600 pounds (1,180 kg).
• The reticulated giraffe’s coat has a pattern of large polygon-shaped brown spots on a creamy
white background, a pattern that is unique to each individual.
• Their legs are about six feet (1.8 m) long, longer than the average man is tall.
• Their six foot (1.8 m) long necks have only seven vertebrae, the same number as humans.
• Their backs are steeply sloped from front to back; their front legs are longer than their back legs.
• Both males and females have short, fur-covered horns called ossicones on the tops of their
heads.
• Their black prehensile tongues are about 18 inches (46 cm) long.
• Their feet have two digits.
Proprietary to Denver Zoological Foundation 1
Reticulated giraffe
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Giraffa reticulata
Diet What does this species eat?
In their historic range: Reticulated giraffes eat leaves, flowers, seed pods and fruit. Acacias are their
preferred food source.
At the zoo: Denver zoo’s giraffes eat alfalfa hay, grain, and browse, fruits and vegetables for training and
enrichment.
Predators What eats this species?
Lions, leopards, hyenas, and crocodiles hunt mostly young, old or sick giraffes.
Social Organization How does this animal interact with others of its species?
Reticulated giraffes live in loose, open herds of a few animals up to 40 whose composition frequently
changes. Herds may consist entirely of females with or without calves, mixed sexes or all males.
Females are more social than males. Males are not territorial but individuals may spar with one another
to establish dominance.
Life Cycle How does this species mate, raise young, grow and develop?
Reticulated giraffes breed year round. Males sniff a female’s urine to determine whether she is
receptive to breeding and guard a receptive female from other males. Gestation lasts about fifteen
months followed usually by the birth of one calf although twin births are possible. Females give birth
walking or standing up, and calves are able to stand and begin nursing within an hour. Newborns are
about six feet (1.8 m) tall and weigh up to 160 pounds (72.6 kg). When the calf is a month old, it and its
mother join a nursery made up of other mothers and their calves. Mothers take turns guarding the
nursery while others forage nearby, returning to the nursery frequently to nurse their calves. Calves are
weaned at twelve to thirteen months and remain with their mothers for a few additional months.
Females reach sexual maturity at three to four years old; males about a year later. Giraffes have an
average lifespan of about 25 years in their natural habitat and a range of 20 to 27 years in human care.
Adaptations What physical and behavioral characteristics enable this animal to survive and thrive?
• A reticulated giraffe’s height enables it to reach food sources that are out of reach for other
animals.
• Long prehensile tongues and fleshy lips strip leaves from branches.
o The tongue allows the giraffe to reach leaves on thorny branches without scratching its
face or eyes.
• To keep their blood flowing, giraffes need big hearts, two feet (0.6 m) long and weighing about
25 pounds (11kg), and large blood vessels.
• Giraffes are ruminants with four-chambered stomachs that process their fibrous diet.
o Their ability to chew their cuds while walking allows them to make efficient use of
foraging time.
• Reticulated giraffes have excellent eyesight, allowing them to see movement up to a mile away,
and a keen sense of hearing that help them be safe from predators.
Proprietary to Denver Zoological Foundation 2
Reticulated giraffe
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Giraffa reticulata
• Their spotted coat pattern helps to camouflage them in the dry savanna.
• They can run 35 miles per hour (56 kph) for short distances and can deliver a strong kick to
discourage predators.
Collection Connection
Denver Zoo is home to three reticulated giraffes:
• Kipele, a female, was born 8/16/1993 at Denver Zoo. She has given birth to nine calves and
would allow calves of other females to nurse as long as her own calf was also nursing. She is
very friendly with the animal care staff and can be picky about what treats she wants during
training.
• Heshimu, a female born 9/12/2002 at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, is
nicknamed Heshi and has lived at Denver Zoo since 2007. Animal care staff reports that she has
a lot of personality. She likes to play with enrichment and is getting comfortable with training.
• Dobby, a male, was born 2/28/17 at Denver Zoo to Kipele. He is very spirited and loves
attention from both giraffes and humans. He is a quick learner, enjoys training, and keeps his
care staff on their toes.
Conservation Status Is this animal at risk for extinction and why?
IUCN Status: Endangered
The primary threat to reticulated giraffes is habitat loss due to conversion of land for agriculture and
urban development.
Resources and Where to Learn More
St. Louis Zoo: https://www.stlzoo.org/animals/abouttheanimals/mammals/hoofedmammals/reticulatedgiraffe
Ultimate Ungulates: http://www.ultimateungulate.com/ungulates.html#Giraffidae
San Diego Zoo: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/giraffe
Giraffe Conservation Foundation: https://giraffeconservation.org/
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