are giraffes social animals
Although giraffes are social, they do not form long lasting bonds with other giraffes. Relationships are casual and individuals come and go from a herd without any reaction from the others. They rarely group closely together unless they are browsing from the same tree or are nervous about a predator. Giraffes are divided into several subspecies depending on their geographic location, color and coat pattern. The number of subspecies is still a topic of debate among scientists and ranges from 6 to 9. The giraffes at the Philadelphia Zoo are reticulated giraffes which are identified by their rich brown, geometric spots on a white background Other subspecies include Masai and Rothschild's. Giraffe necks have seven vertebrae, the same as humans do, and this amazing adaptation allows them to reach food in tall trees that is not accessible to other browsers. Both sexes have two short, blunt, skin-covered horns atop their heads, although some giraffes can have several more. HABITAT: Giraffes live in the savannas of Africa, where they roam freely among the tall trees, arid land, dense forests and open plains. FOOD: Their long necks help giraffes eat leaves from tall trees, typically acacia trees. If they need to, giraffes can go for several days without water. Instead of drinking, giraffes stay hydrated by the moisture from leaves. BEHAVIOR: Giraffes are non-territorial, social animals. They travel in large herds that are not organized in any way. Herds may consist of any combination of sexes or ages. OFFSPRING: Female giraffes typically give birth to one calf after a fifteen-month gestation period. It has been noted both in the wild and in captivity that the loose social structure of the giraffe allows it to change and to adapt as it needs to. When food is scarce it is common for larger herds to break up and to travel on their own. A typical lifespan for a male giraffe in a zoo is about 13 years. Female giraffes tend to live longer and have a typical lifespan of 17 years. A very few males may live as long as 22 years, and some females can reach 30, but most individuals don’t reach these oldest ages. The sexual behavior of non-human animals takes many different forms, even within the same species, though homosexual behavior is best known from social species. The motivations for and implications of these behaviors have yet to be fully understood, since most species have yet to be fully studied. Giraffe Social Behavior. Observing the social structure of the giraffe is quite interesting and something you want to do if you get the opportunity in the wild. The females generally bond every well together so you will see them in small herds with about 10 to 12 members. DESCRIPTION: Giraffes are one of the world's tallest mammals. They are well known for their long necks, long legs, and spotted patterns. Giraffes have small horns or knobs on top of their heads that grow to be about five inches long. Many experts believe that this lack of social structure for the giraffes helps them to adapt and to survive in the wild. They also feel that it makes the transition to captivity one that is less stressful.
Yes