Excerpt
Introduction
Giraffes are like no other animal on Earth. They aren’t just tall—they are the tallest land animals in the world. If you stacked two grown-ups on top of each other, they might still not be as tall as a giraffe! But height isn’t the only thing that makes them stand out. Everything about them, from their long necks to their purple tongues, is unique.
A giraffe’s body is built for life in the African savanna, where tall trees and wide-open spaces stretch for miles. Their long legs help them move quickly, and their height gives them a great view of their surroundings. Other animals have to worry about spotting predators through the grass, but giraffes can see danger coming from far away. That’s part of what makes them so special—they have features that help them survive in a way no other animal can.
Take their necks, for example. A giraffe’s neck can be as long as six feet, but it has the same number of bones as a human neck—just seven! The difference is that each of their bones is much, much bigger. That long neck is useful for reaching food that other animals can’t. While antelopes and zebras munch on grass, giraffes go straight for the treetops, pulling down leaves with their 18-inch tongues. And speaking of tongues, a giraffe’s is tough enough to grab branches covered in sharp thorns. Most animals would get poked or scratched, but giraffes don’t seem to mind.
Their bodies are full of surprises. Giraffes have enormous hearts—about two feet long! They need such a powerful heart to pump blood all the way up to their brains. Their long legs also make them fast. Even though they look gentle and slow, a giraffe can run as fast as 35 miles per hour over short distances. That’s faster than most people can bike!
But it’s not just their looks that make them fascinating. Giraffes have a way of moving that’s different from almost every other four-legged animal. When most animals walk, they move their legs in a pattern—one front leg and the opposite back leg step at the same time. Giraffes don’t do that. They move both legs on one side of their body before switching to the other side. This gives them a swaying, rocking motion when they walk, almost like they are gliding across the land.
Despite their calm nature, giraffes aren’t defenseless. They may not have sharp teeth or claws, but their legs are powerful weapons. A single kick from a giraffe can seriously injure or even kill a lion! And since lions are one of the few predators that hunt giraffes, that kick is an important way to fight back.
Even their spots make them special. At first glance, it might seem like all giraffes have the same pattern, but no two giraffes have identical spots. It’s like a fingerprint—each giraffe’s markings are unique. Their spots also help with more than just looks. They help keep them cool by releasing heat, which is important in the hot African sun.
Giraffes are also quiet—at least, they seem that way. Unlike lions that roar or elephants that trumpet, giraffes don’t make a lot of noise. But that doesn’t mean they don’t communicate. Scientists have discovered that giraffes hum to each other at night. The sound is too low for humans to hear easily, but it’s one of the ways they stay connected. They also use body language, like pressing their necks together or flicking their tails, to send messages to each other.
They have a peaceful way of living. Unlike some animals that fight for territory, giraffes don’t battle over land. They form loose groups and often come and go as they please. While some animals travel in tight packs, giraffes have a more relaxed social structure. They stick together, but they don’t always stay in the same group forever.
One of the most surprising things about giraffes is how little they sleep. Most animals need hours of rest, but giraffes only sleep for about 30 minutes to two hours a day. And even then, they don’t usually lie down for long. Sleeping while standing helps them stay alert in case of danger. It’s a strange way to rest, but it works for them.
Giraffes are like no other animal on Earth. They aren’t just tall—they are the tallest land animals in the world. If you stacked two grown-ups on top of each other, they might still not be as tall as a giraffe! But height isn’t the only thing that makes them stand out. Everything about them, from their long necks to their purple tongues, is unique.
A giraffe’s body is built for life in the African savanna, where tall trees and wide-open spaces stretch for miles. Their long legs help them move quickly, and their height gives them a great view of their surroundings. Other animals have to worry about spotting predators through the grass, but giraffes can see danger coming from far away. That’s part of what makes them so special—they have features that help them survive in a way no other animal can.
Take their necks, for example. A giraffe’s neck can be as long as six feet, but it has the same number of bones as a human neck—just seven! The difference is that each of their bones is much, much bigger. That long neck is useful for reaching food that other animals can’t. While antelopes and zebras munch on grass, giraffes go straight for the treetops, pulling down leaves with their 18-inch tongues. And speaking of tongues, a giraffe’s is tough enough to grab branches covered in sharp thorns. Most animals would get poked or scratched, but giraffes don’t seem to mind.
Their bodies are full of surprises. Giraffes have enormous hearts—about two feet long! They need such a powerful heart to pump blood all the way up to their brains. Their long legs also make them fast. Even though they look gentle and slow, a giraffe can run as fast as 35 miles per hour over short distances. That’s faster than most people can bike!
But it’s not just their looks that make them fascinating. Giraffes have a way of moving that’s different from almost every other four-legged animal. When most animals walk, they move their legs in a pattern—one front leg and the opposite back leg step at the same time. Giraffes don’t do that. They move both legs on one side of their body before switching to the other side. This gives them a swaying, rocking motion when they walk, almost like they are gliding across the land.
Despite their calm nature, giraffes aren’t defenseless. They may not have sharp teeth or claws, but their legs are powerful weapons. A single kick from a giraffe can seriously injure or even kill a lion! And since lions are one of the few predators that hunt giraffes, that kick is an important way to fight back.
Even their spots make them special. At first glance, it might seem like all giraffes have the same pattern, but no two giraffes have identical spots. It’s like a fingerprint—each giraffe’s markings are unique. Their spots also help with more than just looks. They help keep them cool by releasing heat, which is important in the hot African sun.
Giraffes are also quiet—at least, they seem that way. Unlike lions that roar or elephants that trumpet, giraffes don’t make a lot of noise. But that doesn’t mean they don’t communicate. Scientists have discovered that giraffes hum to each other at night. The sound is too low for humans to hear easily, but it’s one of the ways they stay connected. They also use body language, like pressing their necks together or flicking their tails, to send messages to each other.
They have a peaceful way of living. Unlike some animals that fight for territory, giraffes don’t battle over land. They form loose groups and often come and go as they please. While some animals travel in tight packs, giraffes have a more relaxed social structure. They stick together, but they don’t always stay in the same group forever.
One of the most surprising things about giraffes is how little they sleep. Most animals need hours of rest, but giraffes only sleep for about 30 minutes to two hours a day. And even then, they don’t usually lie down for long. Sleeping while standing helps them stay alert in case of danger. It’s a strange way to rest, but it works for them.