The giraffe is an animal that is easily recognizable by it’s extremely long neck, which it uses to battle other giraffes for territory and mates, and to pick food from high atop trees. They subside primarily off of plants and fruits picked from high places. It’s because of their necks that giraffes are the tallest extant animal species in the world. Adult males stand on average between 14 ft (4.3 m) and 17 ft (5.2 m), but their have been giraffes discovered that stood almost 20 ft (6 m) tall! For their height, giraffes don’t weigh very much, carrying an average mass of 2,600 lbs (1,200 kg) in males, and just 1,800 lbs (830 kg) in females.

Giraffes are also recognizable by their patchy fur, which usually features brownish patches covering a yellowish coat. They can be most commonly found in the savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands of places like Chad in Central Africa, and South Africa. However, they have been known to venture out of their preferred habitats when in need of food; preferring areas with denser vegetation and plenty of acacia (a type of shrub) growth. They are also known to drink as much water as they can when it’s available, storing it so that they can live for extended periods of time in more arid areas. This trait is similar to camels, who are a distant relatives; they also share similar facial features, though giraffes have small horns atop their heads and camels don’t. Their closest relative (still in existence) is the okapi, the only other member of the Giraffidae family. The horns of the giraffe add weight to their heads and allow them to deliver heavier blows when sparring and slamming their heads into each other’s bodies.

Giraffes are also known for not being the most pleasant smelling creatures. In fact, older males are sometimes called “stink bulls”. Their smell is believed to come from their antibiotic and parasite repellent rich fur, and is also thought to have a part in their mating selection. Their peculiar appearance and almost mythical height have made giraffes a fixture in zoos all over the world. While in such captivity, they are known to lick various objects frequently; this is because captive giraffes never get to suckle their mother, and instinctively try to anyway. These wonderful and majestic creatures, are popular among animal lovers everywhere.