As one of the most iconic safari creatures, the giraffe needs little introduction. It’s also the tallest mammal in the world and known for its trademark spots that make its presence a truly impressive one. Although many are familiar with its appearance, there are a few incredible facts about the giraffe that really do offer another glimpse at its wonder. We spoke to our team and here’s what they shared with us…
- A group of giraffes standing still are called a kaleidoscope and a group walking together are called a journey.
- A group of female giraffes together are called a breeding herd, whilst a group of young calves together away from their moms are called a creche or nursery herd.
- A newborn giraffe calf can stand up and walk after about an hour and within a week, it starts to sample vegetation.
- Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up, even sleeping and giving birth whilst standing too.
- Giraffes aren’t territorial and don’t have a territory. Their movements are determined by plants and what they consume. Every 2-3days they move to a different area.
- Giraffes only need to drink once every few days, with most of their water coming from the vegetation they eat.
- The spots on a giraffe are like human fingerprints. No two individual giraffes have the same pattern and as a result, all are unique.
- Both male and female giraffes have two hair-covered horns called ossicones. The males often use theirs to fight with other males.
- When it comes to sleep, giraffe need only 5 to 30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period. This is achieved through several quick naps that last a minute or two at a time.
- Contrary to popular belief, a giraffe does make its own sounds. These include bellows, snorts, hissing, flue-like calls and even a few lower pitched noises that human hearing can’t pick up.
Get a closer look at these majestic creatures with the perfect African escape
Ready to see a giraffe in the flesh? It’s time to book your stay at Nambiti Hills Private Game Experience. For more on how you can plan the trip of a lifetime, feel free to call us today on +27 (0)31 333 6723 or email reservations@nambitihills.com Alternatively, you can check out our latest specials here: https://www.nambitihills.com/packages-and-specials/