Fun Reticulated Giraffe Facts For Kids

The reticulated giraffes scientific name is Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata. They belong to the kingdom of animalia, order artiodactyla, family giraffidae, class mammalia, genus giraffa and species reticulata.

Reticulated comes from a Latin word meaning 'net-like', which refers to the pattern of coloration on this animal. Reticulated giraffes are the most well-known among the nine subspecies of giraffe. A reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) is longer and taller than other animals. The legs of a giraffe are way longer than an average man. Rothschild giraffes can easily be distinguished from other subspecies by the coloring of their coat ,while reticulated giraffes have clear and defined dark-colored patches with shimmering white lines between them. Northern giraffe, Masai giraffe, southern giraffe, and the reticulated giraffe are the four different giraffe subspecies. The word reticulated means 'marked like a net' which refers to the clean, white lines on the giraffes red-brown coats.

Some facts about giraffes include that they are the tallest mammals on earth, and their legs alone are taller than many humans. Reticulated giraffes are fast and can gallop up to 35 mph (56 kmph). A giraffe's neck is very long to help them reach the tree tops and the ground easier. Giraffes drink water once every few days because most of their water comes from the plants they eat. Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up, they even sleep and give birth standing up.

The average life span of a reticulated giraffe is 25 years when in their natural habitat and 27 years in captivity. Giraffes have only one heart, despite the rumours otherwise, but it is very powerful and helps pump blood throughout the animals long neck and legs.

Here on our page, we have lots of reticulated giraffe facts that everyone will enjoy. Let's have a look at these interesting facts, and if you do like these, then do read our African wild dog and Malayan civet facts.

What type of animal is a reticulated giraffe?

Reticulated giraffes are the most well-known among the nine giraffe subspecies. Reticulated giraffes are tall and have stunning white lines making large polygonal shapes.

What class of animal does a reticulated giraffe belong to?

Reticulated giraffes belong to the class of mammals.

How many reticulated giraffes are there in the world?

There are only 8,700 reticulated giraffes living in the wild.

Where does a reticulated giraffe live?

Reticulated giraffes live in forests, rainforests, and savannas across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

What is a reticulated giraffe's habitat?

Reticulated giraffe habitats are in Northern Kenya, Somalia, and Southern Ethiopia. They live in forests, rainforests, woodlands, savannas, and seasonal floodplains.

Who do reticulated giraffes live with?

Reticulated giraffes live together in herds with between ten and 15 individuals. This helps them to survive against predators. They take turns feeding while others look out for danger.

How long does a reticulated giraffe live?

Reticulated giraffes have an average life span of 25 years when in their natural habitat and about 27 years in captivity.

How do they reproduce?

A reticulated giraffes gestation period lasts between 14 and 15 months, after which a single calf is born. The newborn giraffes are almost 72 in (6 ft) tall. The calves can only run around after few hours for the first two weeks of their lives. They usually lie down with their mother guarding them as they easily become prey to lions, hyenas, and leopards.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) is Endangered. They have a limited population across Kenya. Also, some limited populations are likely to exist in Southern Ethiopia and Southern Somalia. Three decades ago, there was a decline of over 50% from approximately 36,000. An estimated figure of around 15,780 giraffes now remains.

What do reticulated giraffes look like?

Giraffa reticulata (reticulated giraffes) are longer and taller than other animals. The legs of a giraffe are longer than an average man. Their front legs are longer than their back legs. Their tongue is long, and can grow as much as 18 in (45 cm). Their tongues are also strong and flexible, which allows them to grasp and strip leaves from thorny branches. They have coats which consist of large polygonal shapes and are the most distinctive of all giraffe subspecies. It stands out as these shapes are framed in a stunning network of shimmering white lines. Each giraffe consists of a unique pattern of spots that are much like a human fingerprint. Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata belongs to the class mammalia, order artiodactyla and family giraffidae.

How cute are they?

Reticulated giraffes are tall and have stunning white lines which form large polygonal shapes. Reticulated giraffes have clear and defined dark-colored patches with shimmering white lines between them. Some people may find them cute.

How do they communicate?

Giraffes are mostly quiet animals, and most of their communication takes place on a non-verbal level. The vocalization of giraffes becomes more frequent during the mating season to help attract females. Giraffes make low growling or hissing sounds indicating that they are in danger or to ward off others.

How big is a reticulated giraffe?

Male reticulated giraffes reach a height of 216 in (18 ft) and weigh between 2400-4250 lb (1088-1927 kg).  The height of females can reach up to 204 in (17 ft) and weigh between 1540-2600 lb (689-1179 kg). Most of their height and weight come from their incredibly long necks. Giraffe necks are taller than the humans, but it is made of seven bones only. There is a widespread drought in Africa, making it tough for plants to thrive. The long neck helps these giant animals reach the tops of the trees and enables them to reach food sources that out of reach for other animals.

How fast can a reticulated giraffe run?

Reticulated giraffes are fast, and they can gallop at up to 35 mph (56 kmph).

How much does a reticulated giraffe weigh?

Male reticulated giraffes weigh between 2400-4250 lb (1088-1927 kg), and females weigh between  1540-2600 lb (689-1179 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male giraffes are called bulls, and the females are called cows. Both males and females have short, fur-covered horns called ossicones on the tops of their heads. The female giraffe experiences a gestation period of more than 456 days (or 15 months) before giving birth to just one calf.

What would you call a baby reticulated giraffe?

Baby reticulated giraffes are called calves. The newborns will stand immediately after their birth. The calves may run around after few hours, although only for the first two weeks of their lives. They usually lie down with their mother guarding them as they can easily become prey to lions, hyenas, and leopards.

What do they eat?

Reticulated giraffes (Giraffa reticulata) mainly eat acacia and combretum trees. They will eat as many as 100 plants available at that time. Reticulated giraffes have long necks and can reach a band of foliage way out of all other animals' reach, except for elephants. Their tongue is as long as 18 in (45 cm). Also, this tongue is strong and flexible, which allows them to grasp and strip leaves from thorny branches.

Are they aggressive?

Mild-natured giraffes may become aggressive when attacked, and a firm kick with their hooves can injure the predator.

Would they make a good pet?

They are wild animals. They cannot be confined to domestic living. The weather conditions they live in are difficult for humans to survive. Therefore, humans and reticulated giraffes cannot live together.

Did you know...

Female reticulated giraffes give birth standing up, and the newborn will stand immediately after the birth. This is one extraordinary fact about the baby giraffe.

What does reticulated giraffe mean?

Reticulated comes from a Latin word that means 'net-like', which refers to the pattern and coloration on this subspecies. There are very few animals that are described this way.

How do a reticulated giraffe's spots differ?

Reticulated giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) are a giraffe subspecies found in Africa. They have large smooth-edged spots with narrow channels between them. The large polygonal shapes stand out, which makes them the most distinctive of all giraffe subspecies, as they are framed in a stunning network of shimmering white lines. Each giraffe consists of a unique pattern of spots that are much like a human fingerprint. Rothschild giraffes can be distinguished from other subspecies by the coloring of their coat, while reticulated giraffes have clear and defined dark-colored patches with shimmering white lines between them. The spotted coat pattern of the reticulated giraffe helps to camouflage them in the dry savanna.

If you put the reticulated giraffe and Masai giraffe against eachother, the reticulated giraffe consists of the most unique spot patterns. Masai giraffes live mostly in the eastern regions of Africa including both Kenya and Tanzania, while reticulated giraffes are truly native to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Masai giraffes occupy woodlands and savannas, and these reticulated giraffes also inhabit comparable environments with several acacia trees.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals, including Masai giraffe, or plains zebra.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our giraffe coloring pages.