The Angolan giraffe is one of the cute animals that has gained wide popularity and great interest from researchers into the secrets of nature, due to its attractiveness and unique characteristics that make getting to know it enjoyable.
Many studies indicate that giraffes are threatened with silent extinction, as they were included under this heading due to the noticeable decline in their number during recent decades, of which poaching and the destruction of the areas in which they live was one of the most important reasons.
In this article from teketrek, we will learn together about the Angolan giraffe in terms of characteristics, food, reproduction, and many other important details. All you have to do is allocate 10 minutes to review the most important information contained.
An introduction to the Angolan giraffe
The Angolan giraffe, also known as the Namibian giraffe or the smoked giraffe, is one of the most prominent species living in South Africa, which has a striking appearance due to its distinctive black or dark brown color.
The presence of the Angolan giraffe was observed in northern Namibia, southwestern Botswana, Zambia, western Zimbabwe, savanna and shrub areas. Some have also been brought to protected areas such as Etosha National Park in Namibia.
This giraffe is a social animal that lives in groups called herds that include between 10-20 giraffes, and communicate with each other through body language and sounds in order to communicate and maintain the safety of the group.
The Angolan giraffe belongs to the phylum Omniformes, the subphylum of vertebrates, of the class Mammalia.
What are the characteristics of the Angolan giraffe?
The Angolan giraffe has a set of unique and distinctive characteristics that make it one of the most surprising and impressive living creatures, as it is distinguished by its huge and long body in addition to:
The adult Angolan giraffe reaches a length of 5-6 meters, and a newborn giraffe reaches about 2 metres.
One of its most unique features is the length of its neck, which reaches between 2 and 2.5 metres, which helps it reach the leaves of trees and tall plants.
The Angolan giraffe has long eyelids that protect it from thorns and ants.
The Angolan giraffe has small horns on its head, which it uses for mating and defense.
The Angolan giraffe has large ears, in addition to having wide eyes, which give it an attractive appearance.
The Angolan giraffe’s body is strong and symmetrical, in addition to being covered with short, reddish-brown fur, with white spots on its body that give it additional beauty.
The Angolan giraffe has long legs equipped with broken ridges that help it cover distances very quickly.
Knowing that its front legs are longer than its back legs.
The Angolan giraffe is known for having a short, thick tail that ends in a rounded shape, which helps it balance while walking and running.
The Angolan giraffe does not have upper front teeth, but it has a long, purple tongue that protects it from the sun’s rays, and is thick to protect it from thorns.
So we can say that the Mongolian giraffe embodies with its beauty the greatness of the Creator, as it looks like an artistic painting that adorns the natural world.
Reproduction stages of the Angolan giraffe
Reproduction is essential to ensure that the Angolan giraffe continues to exist and increase in population.
It should be noted that the reproductive process is a complex process that requires special conditions and circumstances for its success, as it begins with mating relationships between males and females, especially in the winter and fall seasons, when the climatic conditions are appropriate.
Male Angolan giraffes follow females for long periods before mating, and these relationships are usually temporary and do not last long.
The female gestation period lasts for between 14 and 15 months, and the female Angolan giraffe gives birth to one newborn who has the ability to walk one hour after his birth, while running occurs after 24 hours.
The mother takes care of the young and breastfeeds it for up to 12 months, after which it gradually begins to eat leaves and plants.
It is worth noting that the Angolan giraffe reaches maturity at the age of 4 years, and is then ready to marry and have children.
What is the diet of the Angolan giraffe?
The Angolan giraffe depends on a varied and balanced diet that maintains its life and activity. It is a herbivorous animal that feeds mainly on branches and leaves from savannah trees and other trees. Its long neck helps it reach the leaves of tall trees that are difficult to reach.
This giraffe uses its sturdy tongue, which is about 45 cm long, to pick leaves from tree branches.
Moreover, the Angolan giraffe feeds on plant seeds, fruits and flowers in its natural environment. It also resorts to eating the bones of other animals in order to obtain the nutrients it needs, which it chews and then spits out.
The Angolan giraffe and many other giraffes are distinguished by a set of characteristics that help them eat, as they spend 18 hours a day to find food and eat more than 34 kilograms of food per day, knowing that they eat between 1.6% and 2.1% of Her body weight is daily, and what helps her most in this is the long, dark tongue, the lack of upper front teeth, and the height of the giraffe.
the most important FAQs about the Angolan giraffe
Many researchers and those interested in the natural world are discussing a set of questions related to the Angolan giraffe and some matters related to it, the most prominent of which we will point out below:
How fast can the Angolan giraffe reach?
The Angolan giraffe can run at a speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
Can the Angolan giraffe cross water and rivers?
Yes, this giraffe can cross rivers and shallow water, thanks to its long legs that help it stand in the water.
How many vertebrae does the Angolan giraffe have?
The Angolan giraffe’s neck consists of 7 long vertebrae that help it reach the top of trees, and each vertebra reaches 28 cm in length.
What factors affect the reproduction of the Angolan giraffe?
The reproductive process of the Angolan giraffe is affected by several factors: nutrition, availability of natural resources, and suitable climatic conditions.
What is the average lifespan of the Angolan giraffe?
The average lifespan of the Angolan giraffe is 25 years in the wild, while in captivity its average lifespan is 30 years.
How does the Angolan giraffe sleep?
The giraffe may sleep standing during the day, while lying on the ground during the night hours.
She works to tuck her feet under her body to keep her head in an upright position, knowing that her sleep only lasts for a few minutes at a time.
How does the Angolan giraffe drink?
When the Angolan giraffe wants to drink water, it spreads its legs at an angle of 45 degrees.
How many Angolan giraffes are there?
The wild population of the Angolan giraffe is estimated at a maximum of 20,000 giraffes, and approximately 20 giraffes in zoos.
In conclusion, thus we have reached the end of our exciting journey with the Angolan giraffe, a distinctive creature that is considered a symbol of beauty and elegance in the animal world, thanks to its graceful and eye-catching movements.
So, the Angolan giraffe is an embodiment of the splendor of difference and diversity, and a reminder to us that beauty comes to us in different shapes and sizes, so let us preserve it, as it deserves all attention.
