Join Joburg Zoo and our passionate keepers as we celebrate World Giraffe Day on Wednesday, 21 June, an annual event that honours these majestic and beloved creatures. Renowned for their laid-back nature, towering height, and graceful presence, giraffes hold a special place in the animal kingdom. As we commemorate this day, coinciding with the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, we pay tribute to the tallest animals with the longest necks. Males reach an astonishing length of approximately 243cm, while females measure around 213cm.
Discover fascinating insights about these charismatic creatures. Unlike other mammals, giraffes possess a pair of horns that are present even in the embryonic stage.
Composed of cartilage and covered by a layer of skin, these horns are unattached to the skull. Initially lying flat, they quickly stand erect and become prominent within a few days, posing no hindrance during birth.
With their remarkable height and exceptional vision, giraffes excel at spotting danger in the wild, both day and night, allowing them to alert other animals in their vicinity.
The rapid growth of their calves is an essential part of their anti-predator strategy.
These magnificent creatures dedicate a significant portion of their time to stationary or slow movement, channelling their food intake towards optimal growth.
Their prehensile tongue, featuring meticulous muscular control, helps them grasp and hold onto food.
Impressively, a giraffe’s tongue can reach up to 18 inches in length, making it the strongest of any animal.
Giraffes do not sleep like other animals but take power naps while standing throughout the day or night. This behaviour is a response to the constant threats posed by predators in the wild.
While giraffes possess a larynx, or voice box, their small lung capacity and narrow trachea make it challenging to generate enough airflow for vocalisation.
The Johannesburg Zoo currently cares for four giraffes with unique characteristics. Madolo, a 10-year-old male, is the tallest of the group and strategically reaches for the choicest leaves atop the highest branches.
Gia, an 11-year-old female and mother to Michelle, exudes elegance in her unhurried feeding habits. Michelle, a playful 4-year-old female, becomes excited when a book is presented to her. Buhle, the gentle and shy 5-year-old female, completes the zoo’s giraffe family.
World Giraffe Day serves as a crucial reminder of the challenges faced by giraffes in the wild, raising awareness about their plight and the importance of conservation efforts.
Written by Noeleen Mattera
21/06/2023