Giraffe Facts
for Kids

Adult male giraffes average 5.5–5.8 metres (18–19 ft) in total height. Females are slightly shorter at 4.5–5.2 metres (15–17 ft). Even newborn calves are approximately 1.8 metres (6 ft) tall — taller than most adult humans. Their legs alone are about 1.8 metres long.

Giraffe necks evolved primarily to reach food sources unavailable to other herbivores — specifically acacia treetops at 4–6 metres above ground. Male giraffes also use their necks in 'necking' combat, swinging their heavy skulls at rivals to win mating access. Sexual selection may have been an additional evolutionary driver for neck length.

Giraffes are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, with certain subspecies classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered. Their population has fallen from approximately 155,000 in 1985 to about 117,000 today. Threats include habitat loss from farming, illegal hunting, and civil unrest in parts of their range.

Drinking is one of the most dangerous moments for a giraffe — they must splay their front legs wide apart or bend them awkwardly to lower their head to water level, making them extremely vulnerable to predators. Giraffes only need to drink every few days because they get most of their moisture from acacia leaves.

Although long thought to be nearly silent, research has shown giraffes produce low-frequency humming sounds (approximately 92 Hz) primarily at night. They also snort, grunt, and make flute-like sounds. Mothers and calves communicate with quiet bellowing calls. Their sounds are simply much quieter than other large African mammals.