GIRAFFE
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Artiodactyla Giraffidae Giraffa camelopardalis

The giraffe is the world's tallest animal. An old bull may measure 18 ft. (5.5 m) to the top of its head, although females are smaller. Once more widespread, giraffes live in the savanna of Africa south of the Sahara. Populations have been greatly reduced. The long neck allows the animals to browse on high foliage and to watch for enemies. The main source of food is the acacia, but giraffes also eat other plants gathering in the leaves with a tongue up to 18 in. (45 cm) long. They can go for long periods without water. When they come to water, they move their front legs wide apart in an ungainly manner in order to bring their heads down to the water. When resting, they crouch with their legs folded under their bodies, often laying their heads along their back while they sleep. But adult giraffes do not sleep much and some zoologists say that they do not sleep at all.

The giraffe has big eyes and a head which tapers to mobile, hairy lips. On the head, there are two to five bony knobs, covered with skin. The shoulders are high and the back slopes down to the long, tufted tail. The coat is boldly marked with irregular chestnut, dark brown, or liver-colored blotches against a pale buff background.

Giraffes live mainly in herds, moving around slowly, unless alarmed. Males often live in groups in forested areas, while old males may live alone. The females and the young live apart in more open country. Males visit them mainly for mating, which seems to happen all year round. The gestation period is 420 to 468 days and only one calf is born at a time. The calf, when born, is 6 ft. (1.8 m) high and weighs about 110 lb. (50 kg).

Giraffes have few enemies. Lions may take a calf and several lions may bring down an adult, but most predators fear the giraffe's powerful long legs and heavy hooves, which can severely injure any attacker.