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Giraffe gestation lasts
between 14 and 15 months; a single calf is born. The mother gives
birth standing up and the embryonic sack actually bursts when
the baby falls to the ground. Newborn Giraffes are about 1.8 metres
tall. Within a few hours of being born, calves can run around
and are indistinguishable from a calf that may be a week old already;
however, for the first two weeks, they spend most of their time
lying down, guarded by the mother. While adult giraffes are too
large to be attacked by most predators, the young can fall prey
to Lions, Leopards, hyenas, and African Hunting Dogs, it has been
speculated that their characteristic spotted pattern provides
a certain degree of camouflage. Only 25 to 50 percent of Giraffe
calves reach adulthood; those that do have a life expectancy of
between 20 and 25 years.
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In its native
country the Giraffe browses on the twigs of trees, preferring
plants of the Mimosa genus; but it appears that it can without
inconvenience live on other vegetable food. A giraffe can eat
63 kilograms (140 pounds) of leaves and twigs daily. Rothschild's
GiraffeThe pace of the Giraffe is an amble, though when pursued
it can run extremely fast. However, the small size of its lungs
prevents it from supporting a lengthened chase. The Giraffe defends
itself against the lion, its principal enemy, with its fore feet,
with which it strikes with great force.
Images 1 Through
8 Are Courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife Service
Images 9 through 24 Are Courtesy Of Scotch Macaskill
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