Giraffes - Pictures

Giraffes - Behavior and Reproduction

Giraffes are active at day. They spend most of their time feeding and digesting food. They can doze a few minutes while standing. At night, Giraffes can lay down with their heads up and legs under the body. This is the most dangerous moment for this species since a predator can kill it. Lions and other large cats can jump suddenly at the Giraffe and seize it by the head or neck.

Giraffes have keen senses. They see other animals at long distances and have good hearing. Once the Giraffe is scared, it will gallop away fast. The species can develop a speed of about 30 mph.

Giraffes mature at the age of 3-4 years old. Mating period is one of the most interesting life times in Giraffes. Necking can often be observed when males try to fight for a mating right. They prove their seniority and size, and can often part without run-ins. However, those males that do not give up easily may start giving blows to their rivals.

The gestation period for the Giraffe is about 15 months. The Giraffe has usually one calf. Sometimes, twins are born. A little calf can stand up for about 20 minutes immediately after birth. The young grow very rapidly. As a matter of fact, a calf will grow one inch each day. By the age of two months, a calf can eat leaves. Though their independence increases, Giraffes stay with their mother until they mature.

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