DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS Range: patchy distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa, but not present in most of central, western, and far southern continent. Habitat: savannahs, open woodlands. IUCN Status: LR/cd (Lower Risk/ conservation dependent) CITES Appendix: not listed Population in Wild:  ~110,000 ISIS captive population (link requires Internet Explorer) BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY Locomotion: Walk alternating two right limbs, then two left (like the camel). Gallop alternating two front and two hind limbs (like rabbits). Activity Cycle: Diurnal and nocturnal. Most time is spent foraging and ruminating. Social Groups: Very social; found in loosely organized herds of up to 50 individuals. Diet: browsers: leaves, shoots, seeds and pods. Predators: lions, hyenas, wild dogs; usually only calves are vulnerable. Both young and adults are hunted by humans.

 

REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Sexual Maturity: males 7-8 years, females 4-5 years. Gestation: 425-465 days Litter Size: 1, rarely 2 Birth weight: 47-100 kg (104-220 lbs) Age at Weaning: Begins at 9-12 months Longevity: maximum of 26 years in the wild and 40.5 years in captivity. Captive females live 25% longer than males. SPECIES HIGHLIGHTS Feature Facts: Evidence of captivity dates back to the 14th century BC. Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world and have horns that are unique to the Giraffidae. The okapi is the closest living relative. Society Press: First pair of giraffes received at the zoo in 1938 -Lofty and Patches. CRES researches are investigating the relationship between hormones and reproductive behavior (=reproductive endocrinology).

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