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The Giraffe (Giraffa
camelopardalis) is an even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of
all land living animal species. Males can be 4.8 to 5.5 metres
tall and weigh up to 900 kilograms. Females are generally slightly
shorter and weigh less. Native to Africa, the "Giraffe"
is related to deer and cattle, but placed in a separate family,
the Giraffidae, consisting only of the Giraffe and its closest
relative, the Okapi. There are nine generally accepted subspecies
of giraffes, differentiated by color and pattern variations and
range: Reticulated giraffe or Somali giraffe (G.c. reticulata)
-- large, polygonal liver-colored spots outlined by a network
of bright white lines. The blocks may sometimes appear deep red
and may also cover the legs. Range: northeastern Kenya, Ethiopia,
Somalia.
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Angolan giraffe
or Smoky giraffe (G.c. angolensis) -- large spots and some notches
around the edges, extending down the entire lower leg. Range:
Angola, Zambia. Kordofan giraffe (G.c. antiquorum) -- smaller,
more irregular spots that do cover the inner legs. Range: western
and southwestern Sudan. Masai giraffe or Kilimanjaro giraffe (G.c.
tippelskirchi) -- jagged-edged, vine-leaf shaped spots of dark
chocolate on a yellowish background. Range: central and southern
Kenya, Tanzania. Nubian giraffe (G.c. camelopardalis) -- large,
four-sided spots of chestnut brown on an off-white background
and no spots on inner sides of the legs or below the hocks. Range:
eastern Sudan, northeast Congo.
Images 1 Through 8 Are Courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife Service
Images 9 through 24 Are Courtesy Of Scotch Macaskill
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