Animal of the Week

Giraffes

* A new born giraffe measures about 6 feet.
* A giraffe is one of the animals who is born with a horn.
* The scientific name of the giraffe is "Camelopardalis."
* Each giraffe has a unique coat pattern.
* The tongue of an adult giraffe is measures 27".
* Giraffes are vegetarians and live on the leaves of the baobab tree.
* Every step a giraffe takes is 15 feet in length.
* The giraffe is able to grasp objects such as leaves with the help of its tongue.
* Giraffes sleep for no more than 5 to 30 minutes in 24 hours.
* Luckily, giraffes have elastic blood vessels in their necks, this makes it possible for them to drink water from a stream, without fainting.
* Neck wrestling matches are often held to show authority in their herds.
* A giraffe is one of the largest, strongest and peaceful animals on the Earth.
* An adult male giraffe is called a bull, a female ia called a cow and a young giraffe a calf.
* The avarage life span of a giraffe is 20 to 25 years.
* A large male giraffe can eat up to 100 pounds of food in a single day.
* A giraffes age can be calculated from its spots, as the darker the spots, the older the giraffe.
* A lion can die if kicked by a giraffe.
* A giraffe's heart is 24 pounds in weight and 2 feet in length.
* Giraffes are social animals, that live in open herds.
* Giraffes are silent animals, but, they are certainly not mute. Sounds like the bleating of calves, and the bellowing of cows, have been heard.
* Giraffes can survive for long periods without consuming water.