Points

10

per confirmed sighting

MammalConservation status: Not EvaluatedCommon to spot
mammals • Giraffidae

Southern Giraffe.

S

Giraffa giraffa

The tallest living animal, browsing the canopy that no other herbivore can reach.

Category

mammals

Family

Giraffidae

Size

4.3–5.7 m tall, 800–1 900 kg

Points

10 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding southern giraffe in its natural range.

Overview

The tallest living animal, browsing the canopy that no other herbivore can reach.

How to identify it

Irregular blotched pattern with lighter cream lines, ossicones on the head, extremely long neck.

Habitat

Savanna, woodland and bushland across southern Africa.

Diet

Acacia and combretum leaves

Behaviour

Loose herds; bulls neck-fight for dominance

When to look

Mostly diurnal/crepuscular but can feed and move at night.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambique
  • Kruger National ParkZA
  • Etosha National ParkNA
  • Chobe National ParkBW
  • Hwange National ParkZW

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a vehicle or a safe distance and never feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.