Ten Fascinating Facts About Giraffes You Never Knew

Giraffes are among the most iconic and intriguing animals on Earth. Their towering height and unique appearance make them stand out in the animal kingdom. Yet, beyond their long necks and spotted coats, giraffes hold many surprising secrets that few people know. This post explores ten fascinating facts about giraffes that reveal how extraordinary these gentle giants really are.

A giraffe standing tall in the African savannah

1. Giraffes Have the Same Number of Neck Vertebrae as Humans

Despite their long necks, giraffes have only seven neck vertebrae, the same number as humans and most other mammals. Each vertebra is greatly elongated, which gives the giraffe its impressive neck length of up to 1.8 meters. This unique adaptation allows giraffes to reach leaves high up in trees that other herbivores cannot access.

2. Their Tongues Are Exceptionally Long and Tough

A giraffe’s tongue can reach lengths of 45 to 50 centimeters. It is prehensile, meaning it can grasp and pull leaves from branches. The tongue’s dark purplish-blue colour helps protect it from sunburn during long hours of feeding under the hot African sun. The tongue is also very tough, allowing giraffes to eat thorny acacia leaves without injury.

3. Giraffes Have a Specialized Cardiovascular System

To pump blood all the way up their long necks to the brain, giraffes have an unusually large and powerful heart. It can weigh up to 11 kilograms and generate nearly double the blood pressure of humans. Their arteries have thick walls to withstand this pressure, and special valves prevent blood from flowing backward when they lower their heads to drink.

4. Giraffes Sleep Very Little

Giraffes are among the animals that sleep the least. They usually rest for only 4.6 hours per day, often in short naps lasting just a few minutes. They can sleep standing up or lying down, but lying down makes them more vulnerable to predators. Their short sleep cycles help them stay alert and ready to flee if danger approaches.

5. Their Coat Patterns Are Unique Like Human Fingerprints

No two giraffes have the same coat pattern. The spots vary in shape, size, and colour depending on the subspecies and individual. These patterns help giraffes camouflage in the light filtered by leaves of their woodland and savannah habitats. Scientists use these unique markings to identify and track individual giraffes in the wild.

Giraffe head close-up with brown spots, looking curiously at the camera. Background of lush green leaves and tree trunk.

6. Giraffes Communicate Using Infrasound

Giraffes produce sounds at frequencies below the range of human hearing, called infrasound. These low-frequency sounds can travel long distances and may help giraffes communicate with each other over several kilometers. Although they appear quiet, giraffes use these subtle vocalisations to stay in touch with herd members.

7. Male Giraffes Engage in Necking Battles

Male giraffes compete for dominance and mating rights through a behaviour called “necking.” They swing their necks and use their heavy heads like hammers to strike opponents. These battles can last for hours and determine which male gains access to females. Despite the intensity, serious injuries are rare.

8. Giraffes Can Run Up to 56 Kilometers Per Hour

Despite their size and long legs, giraffes are surprisingly fast runners. They can reach speeds up to 56 kilometers per hour in short bursts. Their long legs allow them to cover large distances quickly, which helps them escape predators like lions and hyenas.

9. Giraffes Have a Unique Way of Drinking Water

Because of their height, giraffes must spread their front legs wide apart or kneel to reach water on the ground. This awkward position makes them vulnerable to predators, so they drink quickly and remain alert. Giraffes can also survive for long periods without water by getting moisture from the plants they eat.

Giraffe standing in a lush green field with shrubbery in the background

10. Giraffes Are Social but Have Loose Herd Structures

Giraffes live in groups called towers, but these herds are fluid and change frequently. Individuals come and go, and there is no strong social hierarchy like in some other animals. This loose social structure allows giraffes to adapt to changing food availability and avoid predators more effectively.

Sources:

1) About Giraffes | Giraffe Conservation & Protection

2) 10 giraffe facts! - National Geographic Kids