Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, with a neck as long as 6 feet. They can run up to 35 mph.

Even though their necks are 6 feet long, giraffes still only have seven vertebrae - the same number of bones as a human neck! Drinking water is difficult for giraffes because their necks are too short to reach the ground, so they have to awkwardly shuffle and spread their front legs to reach the ground for a drink of water. Fortunately, giraffes get most of their water from the plants they eat and only need to drink once every few days.

Giraffes are the world’s largest ungulates (hoofed mammals), and eat tree leaves, mostly acacia leaves. A favorite giraffe fact is that they are an important pollinator in Africa. As they wander around feeding from the tops of trees, they transfer pollen on their muzzles from the flowers of one tree to another.

Fun Facts:

• A group of giraffes is called a “tower.”
• The horn-like protrusions on their heads are called “ossicones.” They are not made of bone but of ossified cartilage that is fused to the skull.
• A giraffe’s tongue is a dark color to help prevent it from getting sunburnt.