A Tower Of Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) Caught In Headlight Beams
The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. Its species name refers to its camel-like shape and its leopard-like colouring. Its chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its distinctive coat patterns. It is classified under the family Giraffidae, along with its closest extant relative, the okapi. The nine subspecies are distinguished by their coat patterns. The giraffe requires less food than many other herbivores because the foliage it eats has more concentrated nutrients and it has a more efficient digestive system. If the giraffe wants to bend down to drink, it either spreads its front legs or bends its knees. When it has access to water, a giraffe drinks at intervals no longer than three days.
Size: 4672px × 2228px
Location: Kariega, South Africa
Photo credit: © John Porter LRPS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: africa, african, beam, camelopardalis, coat, collective, flash, giraffa, giraffe, giraffes, group, headlight, herbivore, herd, night, noun, patterns, photography, reticulated, south, tower
