Giraffes are the tallest animals of all. They have long legs and long necks. There are 7 bones in their necks, the same as in ours. Males can grow to nearly five and a half metres tall, and females to nearly five metres tall.
There are about 9 different sub-species, or breeds, of giraffe. There are only small differences between them. When giraffes of two different sub-species breed, the young are called hybrids (mixed breeds).
Giraffes have horns called ossicones. These are fur-covered bumps on their skulls, unlike the horns of other animals.
Skull of a giraffe
Giraffe skin is blotched in patterns of browns and yellows. No two Giraffe's have the same pattern. The different sub-species have different coat patterns.
There are about 9 different sub-species, or breeds, of giraffe. There are only small differences between them. When giraffes of two different sub-species breed, the young are called hybrids (mixed breeds).
Giraffes have horns called ossicones. These are fur-covered bumps on their skulls, unlike the horns of other animals.