Giraffe - Middle Savanna Herbivores

Giraffe
Living Library
Wildwatch.com

Of all Africa's wild animals, the giraffe is possibly the most distinctive, for there is no other animal at all similar on any other continent. It has only one living relative, the odd-looking okapi of the central African rain forest. The giraffe is the tallest member of the animal kingdom - males average 5.5 metres, females a little less.Their unique form is the result of some remarkable adaptations, and has enabled them to exploit a food niche not utilised by other herbivores - the leaves on the uppermost branches of trees.

Giraffe are selective in their choice, favouring various species of Acacia, Combretum, Commiphora, Terminalia, Balanites and Ziziphus - some of these plants have evolved chemical defences, however, and release unpalatable tannins when over-browsed. The bluish, prehensile tongue is able to wrap around even the thorniest of twigs to remove nutritious foliage.

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