Also known as the Somali giraffe, the reticulated giraffe (or Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) is a subspecies that lives in the savannahs and open forests of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The reticulated giraffe is distinguishable from other subspecies thanks to its large, polygonal spots, tan to red in colour, that are divided by white interconnecting lines on the animal’s fur. While both sexes are extremely tall, the males are significantly taller than females and have well developed bony horns on their head; the horns of the female are smaller and thinner. Giraffes are famous for their long neck, which is used for accessing leaves that are out of reach to other animals.
Latin Name
Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
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Animal Facts
The tongue of the giraffe is 45cm long and prehensile.
The skin of the giraffe secretes chemicals that repels parasites and gives giraffes a distinctive smell.
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that giraffes where a cross between camels and leopards, thus the Latin name for ‘giraffe’ is ‘camelopardalis’.
Male giraffes fight viciously by swinging their necks and horned heads into each other to win the right to mate with females.