Reticulated Giraffe Flashcards

1
Q

What is the tallest living mammal?

A

The giraffe.

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2
Q

Is the giraffe an even or odd toed ungulate?

A

Even.

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3
Q

What are the horn-like structures on a giraffe called?

A

Ossicones.

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4
Q

How much can a full grown male giraffe weigh?

A

1 1/2 tons

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5
Q

How tall can adult male giraffe stand?

A

18 feet

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6
Q

What is the breeding season for giraffes?

A

They have none.

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7
Q

How old are giraffes when they are sexually mature?

A

4 years.

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8
Q

What is the gestation period of a giraffe in months?

A

14 months

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9
Q

True or false? Giraffes give birth standing up.

A

True.

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10
Q

How tall are baby giraffes when they are born?

A

6 feet.

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11
Q

How much does a baby giraffe weigh?

A

Around 100 pounds

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12
Q

How long does it take before a baby giraffe can stand?

A

One hour.

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13
Q

How many years old is a young giraffe when it is weaned?

A

One.

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14
Q

How many months does a young giraffe stay with its mother for after it is weaned?

A

Three.

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15
Q

How long does a giraffe live?

A

15 years.

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16
Q

What is the range and habitat of the giraffe?

A

Scattered through sub-Saharan Africa, but mainly in the grasslands and savannas of Kenya and Tanzania.

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17
Q

What do giraffes eat?

A

Leaves, bark, twigs, flowers, and fruit.

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18
Q

What is the favorite tree of the giraffe?

A

The acacia.

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19
Q

How large are the herds that female giraffes make with young males?

A

20

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20
Q

True or false? Adult male giraffes are often solitary, but young males may form bachelor groups.

A

True.

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21
Q

True or false? The giraffe is a pseudoruminant.

A

False. It is a true ruminant.

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22
Q

When do giraffes feed and drink?

A

Morning and evening.

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23
Q

What do giraffes do in the afternoon?

A

Rest and chew cud.

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24
Q

What is “necking”?

A

It is when two giraffes will slam their necks together to establish hierarchy or show affection.

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25
Q

How many hours of sleep do giraffes require a day?

A

Two hours.

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26
Q

True or false? Giraffes sleep standing up.

A

False. They sit on their legs by folding them beneath.

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27
Q

True or false? Necking often results in giraffes getting injured.

A

False. It’s pretty rare.

28
Q

What kinds of sounds can giraffes make?

A

Grunts, hisses, coughs, bellows, and whistles.

29
Q

How fast can giraffes run?

A

Up to 30 mph

30
Q

How do giraffes prevent predator attacks while drinking?

A

They will travel in herds and take turns drinking and watching for predators.

31
Q

How do giraffes run and what is this technique called?

A

They move both legs on one side of their body one at a time. This is called pacing.

32
Q

Describe the adaptions of the giraffe’s tongue.

A

It is long so it can grab distant leaves and gooey so that it can coat thorny plants in saliva.

33
Q

How large and heavy is a giraffe’s heart?

A

It is the size of a basketball and weighs about 25 pounds.

34
Q

What are a giraffe’s spots supposedly used for?

A

Camouflage.

35
Q

Are the spots of a dominant male giraffe’s hide darker than others?

A

Yes.

36
Q

What is the role of the giraffe in its habitat?

A

It eats the upper-story vegetation.

37
Q

What are the predators of giraffes?

A

Lions and crocodiles.

38
Q

How do giraffes benefit other herbivores?

A

They have a wider view of the area, which means other herbivores can use them to spot predators.

39
Q

What do humans hunt giraffes for?

A

Hide and meat.

40
Q

How many vertebrae do giraffes have in their neck?

A

Seven. (Same as humans)

41
Q

How many species and subspecies of giraffe are there?

A

No one is really sure because of all the debate. But it is most likely nine subspecies.

42
Q

What is the conservation status of the giraffe?

A

Least concern.

43
Q

Are giraffe populations on the decline?

A

Yes.

44
Q

What are the two main threats to giraffes?

A

Hunting and deforestation.

45
Q

How long in inches is a vertebrae in a giraffe’s neck?

A

Ten inches.

46
Q

What was an old nickname for the giraffe?

A

The camel leopard.

47
Q

Where does the name “giraffe” come from?

A

The Arabic word “Zafara”, which means fast walker.

48
Q

Who used giraffes famously to show evolutionary advantage?

A

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

49
Q

What are the bumps on the tops of the skull of adult male giraffes?

A

Calcium deposits that form as they age.

50
Q

Why does the giraffe have thick skin?

A

so it can run through thorn bushes without being injured.

51
Q

Who bears the responsibility of raising the young giraffes?

A

The female.

52
Q

True or false? Some subspecies of giraffe are considered endangered.

A

True. (West African Giraffe is an example)

53
Q

What is the Swahili word for giraffe?

A

Twiga.

54
Q

When did giraffes evolve?

A

Around 8 million years ago.

55
Q

What is hypothesized to have caused giraffes to evolve so fast?

A

Their habitat change and their diet of acacia. (Acacia is high in toxins which may have caused mutations)

56
Q

Can giraffes see in color?

A

Yes.

57
Q

What color is the skin of a giraffe?

A

Gray.

58
Q

Are ossicones made from bones?

A

No. They are made from cartilage.

59
Q

How is a giraffe’s skull lightened?

A

It has multiple sinuses.

60
Q

How many times higher is the blood pressure of a giraffe?

A

Twice that of a human.

61
Q

What is the name of the complex series of arteries and veins that a giraffe has that prevent too much blood flow to its head?

A

Rete mirabile.

62
Q

Explain the significance of animal dances in the culture of the San people southern Africa and describe what the giraffe dance does.

A

Animal dances are used to heal ailments and the giraffe dance heals head ailments.

63
Q

What is the native east African explanation for how the giraffe got its long neck?

A

It ate too many magic herbs.

64
Q

What culture believed the giraffe was a hybrid of a camel and leopard?

A

The Romans.

65
Q

Why are scientists looking to giraffes when designing suits for astronauts and pilots?

A

Giraffes have special adaptions that prevent blood rushes to their legs and head.

66
Q

What kinds of things do natives make out of giraffe skin?

A

Shields, shoes, and drums.