Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The Giraffidae are a family of ruminant artiodactyl mammals that share a recent common ancestor with deer and bovids.This family, once a diverse group spread throughout Eurasia and Africa, presently comprises only two extant genera, the giraffe (between one and eight, usually four, species of Giraffa, depending on taxonomic interpretation) and the okapi (the only known species of Okapia).
Because of their size, eyesight and powerful kicks, adult giraffes are mostly safe from predation, [42] with lions being their only major threats. [49]: 55 Calves are much more vulnerable than adults and are also preyed on by leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs. [50] A quarter to a half of giraffe calves reach adulthood.
Giraffoidea is a superfamily that includes the families Climacoceratidae, Prolibytheriidae, and Giraffidae. The only extant members in the superfamily are the giraffes and okapi. The Climacoceratidae are also placed in the superfamily, but were originally placed within the family Palaeomerycidae.
The current IUCN taxonomic scheme lists one species of giraffe with the name G. camelopardalis and nine subspecies. [1] [7] A 2021 whole genome sequencing study suggests the northern giraffe as a separate species, and postulates the existence of three distinct subspecies, [8] and more recently, one extinct subspecies.
The Masai giraffe is distinguished by jagged and irregular spots on its body. Its geographic range includes various parts of eastern Africa. [7] [8] [9] It is the largest-bodied giraffe species, making it the tallest land animal on Earth. [7]
The southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), also known as two-horned giraffe, [1] is a species of giraffe native to Southern Africa. [2] However, the IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.
Giraffomorpha is a clade of pecoran ruminants containing the superfamilies Palaeomerycoidea (Palaeomerycidae) and Giraffoidea (Giraffidae, Prolibytheriidae and Climacoceratidae), of which the giraffe and okapi of the Giraffidae are the only extant members of the once-diverse clade as a result of a decline in diversity after the Miocene as a result of declines in temperatures.
Articles relating to the giraffe, a tall African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus Giraffa.It is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on Earth. . The giraffe's chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its spotted coat patter