Giraffe, even-toed, hoofed, ruminant mammal that lives in the savannas of Africa; it is the tallest living mammal. It has a long neck that contains only seven vertebrae (as do the necks of most other mammals) and bears a short tufted mane. On the heads of both sexes are two to to four skin-covered horns and sometimes a fifth protuberance between the eyes. The legs are long, slender and bony; in order to drink, the animal must bend or splay its forelegs. Its coat is pale brown and almost covered by characteristic red-brown blotches. Height: to 5.5m. Family Giraffidae; species Giraffa camelopardalis. |
