10/02/2020
THE LARGEST RUMINANT IN THE WORLD
Giraffes are one of the most common wild animals that many people in the would have seen either in the wild, protected areas or even zoos. These are the tallest extant terrestrial animals.
Giraffes do not have horns. Instead they have ossicones which are growths of ossified cartilage covered in skin.
The Giraffes are not worried about the large predators found within their ranges as they can tackle them accordingly.
They do necking which is fighting by males by use of their necks to establish dominance and maintain territories and also access to females.
Giraffes are rarely involved in human wild conflicts
Did you know that World Giraffe Day is usually on 21st June every year which is the longest day or night depending on your hemisphere? Now you know.
There are a total of nine subspecies of giraffes and out of those 9, there are 3 types in Kenya;
1. Reticulated giraffes
2. Rothschild giraffes
3. Maasai giraffes
Reticulated Giraffes
Also known as Somali giraffe.
Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata are about 15,780 of them currently.
These have much whiter lines between the brownish patches on its pelt and the patches are bordered by very smooth lines.
Can be found in Marsabit, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Samburu,Meru, Laikipia, Garissa and Lamu; Tsavo East, Marsabit, Shaba, Buffalo National Parks.
Book our Tsavo East day trip on 30th November to get a chance to see the Reticulated Giraffes.
Rothschild Giraffes
Also known as Nubian/Baringo/Ugandan giraffe( Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis)
These are highly endangered because they breed with other subspecies hence leaving just a few of them that are of pure breed.
They are about 400 of them in Kenya.
Have much creamer lines in between their patches and the patches have more jagged edges.
These appear to be wearing cream coloured socks.
Can be found at Mwea, Nasolot National Reseves, Giraffe centre Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Ruma, Lake Baringo, Mt Elgon National Parks and Soysambu and Kigio Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Maasai giraffes
Scientifically they are known as Giraffa tippelskirchi.
They are about 35,000 members in total and the largest subspecies of giraffe.
Also known as Kilimanjaro giraffe.
Just like the Rothschild giraffes they also have much creamer lines in between their patches and the patches have more jagged edges.
However, their legs are decorated with brown spots all the way down to their feet.
Can be found in Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Chyullu Hills, Amboseli, Tsavo West and Hells Gate National Parks. Other places are Taita Ranches, Marula valley farm, Athi plains, Serengeti in Tanzania.
Threats
i) Loss of habitat
ii) Climate change- increased desertification and aridity hence droughts, bushfires.
iii) Predation by carnivores especially the calves
iv) Hybridization potential between the Maasai and reticulated giraffes
v) Poaching and indiscriminate snaring for meat, bones