Animals
Class: Mammal
Biome:
Conservation Status: Endangered
About this animal
Fota Wildlife Park is home to a herd of Rothschild giraffe, which are one of nine races of giraffe found in Africa. Exterminated from much of their former habitat, they can now be seen in western Kenya and eastern Uganda. Giraffes are the tallest land mammal. They are often called the watchtowers of the Serengeti, helping to keep track of predators. The Rothschild giraffe is taller than any other sub species. The males can grow up to 5.9m in height and are capable of attaining weights in excess of 2000kg. The giraffe is a strict herbivore eating leaves and buds from trees. It digests its food in a chambered stomach. Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of 15 months. A mother giraffe often gives birth while standing so that the newborn's first experience outside the womb is a 1.8 m (6 ft.) drop!
Did you know?
Giraffes can sleep standing up and only sleep for about five minutes at a time so they can remain alert for predators!! Would you believe the giraffe has the longest tail of any land mammal? A giraffe’s tail can be 8 feet (2.4 meters) long, including the tuft on the end!
