Giraffes are some of the most amazing animals on the planet. I mean, just look at them. They are the basketball players of nature team.
A giraffe’s legs alone are taller than many humans—about 6 feet . These long legs allow giraffes to run as fast as 35 miles an hour over short distances and cruise comfortably at 10 miles an hour over longer distances.
Up until recently, the consensus has been there is only one species of giraffe with multiple subspecies but in 2016, scientists discovered that there might be four distinct giraffe species.
The giraffe has intrigued various cultures, both ancient and modern, for its peculiar appearance, and has often been featured in paintings, books, and cartoons.
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Giraffes are still found in numerous national parks and game reserves but estimates as of 2016 indicate that there are approximately 97,500 members of Giraffa in the wild. More than 1,600 were kept in zoos in 2010.
The name “giraffe” has its earliest known origins in the Arabic word zarāfah, perhaps borrowed from the animal’s Somali name geri. The Arab name is translated as “fast-walker”.
Giraffe Quotes
“I’m a giraffe. I even walk like a giraffe with a long neck and legs. It’s a pretty dumb animal, mind you.”
Sophia Loren
“I was once kissed on the lips by a giraffe, and I don’t think I’ve ever got over it.”
Joanna Lumley
“My favourite animal is the koala, but his life would be boring. I would rather be a giraffe so that I could contemplate the beauty of Africa.” Caterina Murino
It’s an incredibly difficult thing to bring a giraffe down. They can kill a lion with a single blow from their feet.
Joanna Lumley
“Well as giraffes say, you don’t get no leaves unless you stick your neck out.”
Sid Waddell
“Sometimes facing opportunity is like staring at the knees of a giraffe.”
Laurie Beth Jones