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Reticulated Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
Class: Mammal
Weight: 1,700 to 2,800 pounds
Diet: Herbivore
Lifespan in the wild: 10 to 15 years
Lifespan in professional care: Up to 25 years
Conservation status: Endangered
Number of offspring: 1 calf at a time

About

I LIVE IN AFRICA

Reticulated giraffe are often found across northern Kenya, and smaller populations can be found in southern Somalia and southern Ethiopia. They typically live in open woodlands and dry savannahs with trees.


I AM AN HERBIVORE

A reticulated giraffe’s diet consists of leaves, flowers, seeds and fruit. Their preferred food source is acacia trees and often inhabit areas with an abundance of acacia trees.


RETICULATED GIRAFFE ARE SOCIAL

Reticulated giraffe  are somewhat social and typically live in loose herds of about 2 to 20 giraffe. Female giraffe tend to be more social than their male counterparts.


OUT OF THIS WORLD

Baby giraffe learn how to stand immediately after being born, due to their rapidly inflating leg veins. NASA had this animal adaptation in mind when they created the Lower Body Negative Pressure Process used in astronaut suits.


HELPING THE RETICULATED GIRAFFE IN THE WILD

The Fort Wayne Zoo supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, an organization that promote habitat protection, research, and ongoing studies to better understand all nine subspecies of giraffes found throughout Africa.


I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM

This species’ eating habits help open up the habitat for other wildlife, encourage growth of new foliage, and seed dispersal.


Due to fluctuating temperatures, African Journey may not always be open during the month of April. Many of the animals in our care do have temperature requirements where overnight and daily temperatures must both reach a certain point consistently to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the animals in our care. Please consider calling the morning of your visit at (260) 427-6800 to see if African Journey is open.

 

Conservation

Learn more about our efforts, our conservation partners around the world, and the simple steps you can take to contribute.