A Rothschild Giraffe; Giraffe in Uganda, Uganda Wildlife
Uganda is home to herds of Rothschild Giraffes, one of the nine subspecies found in Africa. A Rothschild Giraffe is tallest of the land mammals, the species is often referred to as the ‘watchtowers of the Wild’ as it helps to alert other animals to the presence of predators up to two kilometres away.
Rothschild Giraffes have the longest tail of any land mammal, growing to about 2.4 metres long (8 ft) including the tuft on the end, while its blue/black tongue is 17 inches long and prehensile, allowing the giraffe to grip branches with it. The males grow to six metres in height and weighing over 2000kg – but the animal does not have horns; instead, it has cartilage structures unattached to its skull called ossicones that are flat at birth and stand within a few days.
Their coat is a distinct mix of dark patches that are broken up by bright, cream channels, though there are no markings on its lower legs – a trait that is unique to this sub species.
Rothschild Giraffes inhabit savannahs, grasslands and open woodlands across Africa but the Rothschild subspecies only exists in small numbers within protected areas in northern Uganda and Kenya.
A strict herbivore, the animal only eats leaves and buds from trees. Males can eat up to 80kg of leaves a day and the species has a chambered stomach to help with digestion. Rothschild Giraffes live in small herds with males and females (and their calves) existing separately outside of mating season. They can run at up to 56kph but can hardly jump and rely on a powerful kick to defend themselves when vulnerable.
The females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of between 14 and 16 months. A mother often gives birth while standing, so a newborn’s first experience of the world can be a two-metre drop. Half of young don’t survive beyond their initial first year in the wild.
Fewer than 700 hundred Rothschild Giraffes now exist in the wild in Uganda and Kenya because of the destruction of their habitat and farming developments in their native ranges. The animal was also hunted in the past, with its tail hairs used in jewellery while its hides were used to make water buckets.
Did you know?
Giraffes sleep standing up – but only for five minutes at a time, as they remain alert for predators, and a total of about two hours a day. The species also has seven vertebrae in its neck – the same as a human being – despite having one of the longest in the animal kingdom.
Travel to Uganda for your wildlife safari to sight Rothschild giraffes in Uganda’s protected areas such as Kidepo Valley national park, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, and Lake Mburo national park.
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