GIRAFFE
Scientific name: Giraffa
Gestation period: 13 – 15 months
Height: Male: 5 – 6 m (Adult), Female: 4.6 m (Adult)
Mass: Male: 1,200 kg, Female: 830 kg
The giraffe (Giraffa) is a genus of African even-toed ungulate mammals, the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largest ruminants. The genus currently consists of one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, the type species. Seven other species are extinct, prehistoric species known from fossils. Taxonomic classifications of one to eight extant giraffe species have been described, based upon research into the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, as well as morphological measurements of Giraffa, but the IUCN currently recognizes only one species with nine subspecies.The giraffe's chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its distinctive coat patterns. It is classified under the family Giraffidae, along with its closest extant relative, the okapi. Its scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south, and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannahs and woodlands. Their food source is leaves, fruits and flowers of woody plants, primarily acacia species, which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach. They may be preyed on by lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs. Giraffes live in herds of related females and their offspring, or bachelor herds of unrelated adult males, but are gregarious and may gather in large aggregations. Males establish social hierarchies through "necking", which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. Dominant males gain mating access to females, which bear the sole responsibility for raising the young.
The giraffe has intrigued various cultures, both ancient and modern, for its peculiar appearance, and has often been featured in paintings, books, and cartoons. It is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as Vulnerable to extinction, and has been extirpated from many parts of its former range. Giraffes are still found in numerous national parks and game reserves but estimations as of 2016 indicate that there are approximately 97,500 members of Giraffa in the wild, with around 1,144 in captivity.
Classifications
Northern giraffeScientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis
Rank: Species
Higher classification: Giraffe
The northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), also known as three-horned giraffe, is a proposed species of giraffe native to North Africa. Proposed to be a separate species, it is considered the type species and one of the four living species of the genus Giraffa. The species was described and given its binomial name by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Three subspecies are recognized. In the current IUCN taxonomic scheme, there is only one species of giraffe with the name G. camelopardalis and nine subspecies.
Once abundant throughout Africa since the 19th century, it ranged from Senegal, Mali and Nigeria from West Africa to up north in Egypt.The West African giraffes once lived in Algeria and Morocco in ancient periods until their extinctions due to the Saharan dry climate.It is isolated in South Sudan, Kenya, Chad and Niger.
All giraffes are considered Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.In 2016, around 97,000 individuals from all subspecies were present in the wild.There are currently 5,195 northern giraffes.
Scientific name: Giraffa reticulata
Rank: Species
Higher classification: Giraffe
The reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), also known as the Somali giraffe, is a subspecies of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. It lives in Somalia, southern Ethiopia, and northern Kenya.There are approximately 8,500 individuals living in the wild. The reticulated giraffe was described and given its binomial name by British zoologist William Edward de Winton in 1899, however the IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.
Reticulated giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe species in captivity or if they come into contact with populations of other species in the wild.
Together with the Rothschild's giraffe, it is by far the giraffe that is most commonly seen in zoos.Its coat consists of 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.
Rothschild's giraffe
Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildiHigher classification: Giraffe
Rank: Subspecies
West African giraffe
Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis peraltaHigher classification: Giraffe
Rank: Subspecies
The West African giraffe, Niger giraffe[1] or Nigerian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) is a subspecies of the giraffe distinguished by its light colored spots, which is found in the Sahel regions of West Africa.
In the 19th century it ranged from Senegal to Lake Chad,yet in 2011 this subspecies only survives in a few isolated pockets containing about 400 individuals in total.Its last self-sustaining herd is in southwest Niger, supported by a series of refuges in Dosso Region, and the tourist center at Kouré, some 80 km southeast of Niamey. All captive so-called "West African giraffe" are now known to be the Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum).
Kordofan giraffe
Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorumHigher classification: Giraffe
Rank: Subspecies
The Christian Science Monitor lists only 38 individuals being alive in the embattled Garamba National Park in The Democratic Republic of Congo due to poaching; their skin is used for luxury goods and they are said to produce enough meat to feed poachers for 'weeks'. Recent genetic studies also shows distinct genetic populations of giraffe that makes conservation of these subspecies even more important.
No comments:
Post a Comment