Reticulated giraffe

Last updated

Reticulated giraffe
Temporal range: Pleistocene - Recent [1]
Two Giraffes.PNG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species:
G. reticulata
Binomial name
Giraffa reticulata
(De Winton, 1899)
Giraffa camelopardis distribution 2018.png
Range in dark green
Synonyms

Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata

The reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata [3] or Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata [4] ) is a species/subspecies of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. It is differentiated from other types of giraffe by its coat, which consists of large, polygonal (or squared), block-like spots, which extend onto the lower legs, tail and face. These prominent liver-red spots also show much less white between them, when compared to other giraffe species. [5] With up to 6 meters in height, the reticulated giraffe is the largest subspecies of giraffe and the tallest land animal in general. [4] [6] While the reticulated giraffe may yet still be found in parts of its historic range, such as areas of Somalia and Ethiopia, its population stronghold is primarily within Kenya. [7] [8] There are approximately 8,500 individuals living in the wild. [7] In both captivity and the wild, as of 2024 there are 15,785 individuals across the world.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Reticulated giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe species in captivity, or if they come into contact with other species of giraffe in the wild, such as the Masai giraffe (G. camelopardalis tippelskirchii).

Along with the aforementioned Masai giraffe, as well as the Baringo or Rothschild's giraffe (G. c. rothschildi), the reticulated giraffe is among the most commonly seen giraffe species in animal parks and zoos. [9]

Taxonomy

The IUCN currently recognizes only one official species of giraffe in Africa, with nine regional subspecies, the reticulated giraffe being one of them. [2] [10] All living giraffes were originally classified as one species by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The reticulated subspecies was described and given a binomial name, Giraffa reticulata, by British zoologist William Edward de Winton in 1899.[ citation needed ]

Classed within the infraorder Pecora, the closest extant relative of giraffes is the elusive okapi (Okapia johnstoni) of Central Africa, with both species possessing a long, black, prehensile tongue for browsing foliage as well as ossicones, the bony, horn-like skull growths on the animal’s forehead (often tipped with tufts of fur). A common ancestor between giraffes and okapi emerged an estimated 11.5 mya. The closest living relative to both giraffes and okapi outside of Africa is the North American pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) of the Antilocapridae, in which it is the sole extant species. Additionally, deer (Cervidae) are distantly related to giraffes, okapi and pronghorn, as they are also classed within the infraorder Pecora.

Distribution and habitat

Reticulated giraffes historically occurred widely throughout Northeast Africa. Their favored habitats are acacia-dotted savannas, arid woodlands, seasonal floodplains, as well as semi-deserts, steppes and open forest. [6] Today, they are most commonly found within Kenya, [8] in parks such as Maasai Mara National Reserve, [8] Meru National Park, [8] Samburu National Reserve, [8] and generally around the northern side of Mount Kenya. [8] Additionally, they have been observed as far as Habaswein, [8] Mnazini [8] and Wajir, [8] as well as in Tsavo East National Park. [8]

Reticulated giraffes at Samburu National Reserve, Kenya Girafe reticulee 1.jpg
Reticulated giraffes at Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Ecology

Reticulated giraffes are diel, meaning they are active during the day and the night. They are most active during the early and late parts of the day, such as dawn, dusk and midnight, due to their warmer environment, a habit that may also be described as crepuscular. Their sleep patterns are usually short, consisting of no more than a couple hours at a time typically standing up. The home range of a G. reticulata is nonexclusive and usually overlapping with other individuals or groups. These home ranges include both males and females and vary in size depending on food resources, gender, and water availability. There is no evidence of territorial behavior between G. reticulata.

Giraffe odour

Giraffes have long been noted as having a distinctive odour that many find unpleasant. The reason for the compounds found in giraffe pelage has long been speculated as protecting the giraffe. Two highly rank smelling chemicals in reticulated giraffe hair, indole and 3-methylindole (skatole) have intense faecal odour at high concentrations. Humans rate these two as being responsible for the repulsive giraffe odour. It has been suggested this may help repel predators. Besides the odour compounds many other compounds are found in giraffe hair. The aldehyde nonanal is the major chemical constituent. This compound and the smelly indole are at concentrations that have been shown to inhibit mammalian skin pathogens. The concentration of another compound, p-cresol is present above the concentration that has been shown to repel male brown ear ticks Rhipicephalus appendiculatus . [11]

Diet and foraging habits

The Reticulated giraffe is a herbivore feeding on leaves, shoots, and shrubs. Their up to 30 centimeter long blue tongue is used to strip the branches of acacia trees, their primary food source. [4] They spend most of their day feeding, roughly 13 hours/day, eating up to 34 kilograms of food per day. [12] They are ruminant mammals, also known as foregut fermentation, which complements their high fiber diet. The only competition for food resources G. reticulata encounters is elephants (Proboscidea).

Social behavior

Reticulated giraffes can typically be seen in groups of 3-9, but there are instances of lone individuals. Kinship between females typically drives a group. These groups are often mother-child groups. [6] Females are known to share protection of other young during predation.

Reproduction

Females display reproductive receptivity by emitting odor from their vaginal area and hindparts. The estrous cycle of a female is about 15 days. A male can enhance this scent by curling its lip which assists in bringing the odor to the vomeronasal organ of the giraffe. Dominant males will guard estrus females from other competing males. When the male is ready to breed, he notifies the female by tapping the female's hindleg with his foreleg or by resting his head on the females back. Post-reproduction there is no long term bond between males and females. The gestation period of G. reticulata is on average 445–457 days, producing one offspring. [6] [13] The occasion of producing two offspring is rare but documented. The female will give birth standing up, and the offspring will stand up anywhere between 5–20 minutes post-birth. Weaning age of the young varies anywhere between 6–17 months, and independence occurs at 2 years old.

Conservation

To save the remaining 9,000 or so reticulated giraffes, several conservation organizations have been formed. One of these organizations is San Diego Zoo Global's "Twiga Walinzi" (meaning Giraffe Guards) initiative. Their work includes hiring and training local Kenyans to monitor 120 trail cameras in Northern Kenya (Loisaba Conservancy and Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy) that capture footage of wild giraffes and other Kenyan wildlife; developing a photo ID database so individual giraffes can be tracked; informing rangers of poaching incidents and removing snares; caring for orphaned giraffes; and educating communities about giraffe conservation. Their numbers remain stable within reserves. [6]

In captivity

Along with the Rothschild’s and the Masai giraffe, the reticulated giraffe is among the most-commonly seen in zoos. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado is said to have the largest reticulated giraffe herd in North America. [14] Reticulated and Rothschild's giraffes have been bred together in the past. This was done because it was thought that the giraffe subspecies interbred in the wild. However, research published in 2016 found that they do not. Nevertheless, some zoos are still interbreeding them.

Few zoos or parks keep distinct, separate herds of Masai, Rothschild's and reticulated giraffes; all three can be seen at the San Diego Zoo (California) and its second facility, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, [15] [16] while the Bronx Zoo (New York), [17] Wildlife Safari (Oregon) and the UK’s Chester Zoo [18] have solely Rothschild's giraffes. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado), [14] Busch Gardens Tampa (Florida), [19] the Maryland Zoo (Baltimore), [20] Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (Nebraska), [21] the Louisville Zoo (Kentucky) and the Binder Park Zoo (Michigan) [22] have solely reticulated giraffes.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giraffe</span> Tall African hoofed mammal

The giraffe is a large African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus Giraffa. It is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on Earth. Traditionally, giraffes have been thought of as one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies. Most recently, researchers proposed dividing them into four extant species due to new research into their mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, and individual species can be distinguished by their fur coat patterns. Seven other extinct species of Giraffa are known from the fossil record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Okapi</span> Species of mammal

The okapi, also known as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe and zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic to the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. However, non-invasive genetic identification has suggested that a population has occurred south-west of the Congo River as well. It is the only species in the genus Okapia. Although the okapi has striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is most closely related to the giraffe. The okapi and the giraffe are the only living members of the family Giraffidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Zoo Safari Park</span> Zoo in San Diego County, California

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a zoo and safari park in San Diego, California, located in San Pasqual Valley. Opened in 1972, the park operates as a sister location to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park; it features a more specific focus on animals from arid environments.

Masai may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giraffidae</span> Family of mammals belonging to even-toed ungulates

The Giraffidae are a family of ruminant artiodactyl mammals that share a recent common ancestor with deer and bovids. This family, once a diverse group spread throughout Eurasia and Africa, presently comprises only two extant genera, the giraffe and the okapi. Both are confined to sub-Saharan Africa: the giraffe to the open savannas, and the okapi to the dense rainforest of the Congo. The two genera look very different on first sight, but share a number of common features, including a long, dark-coloured tongue, lobed canine teeth, and horns covered in skin, called ossicones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Zoo</span> Zoo in Houston, Texas, United States

The Houston Zoo is a 55-acre (22 ha) zoological park located within Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. The zoo houses over 6,000 animals from more than 900 species. It receives around 2 million visitors each year and is the second most visited zoo in the United States, surpassed only by the San Diego Zoo. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masai giraffe</span> Species of giraffe

The Masai giraffe, also spelled Maasai giraffe, and sometimes called the Kilimanjaro giraffe, is a species or subspecies of giraffe. It is native to East Africa. The Masai giraffe can be found in central and southern Kenya and in Tanzania. It has distinctive jagged, irregular leaf-like blotches that extend from the hooves to its head. The Masai giraffe is currently the national animal of Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern giraffe</span> Proposed species of giraffe

The northern giraffe, also known as three-horned giraffe, is the type species of giraffe, G. camelopardalis, and is native to North Africa, although alternative taxonomic hypotheses have proposed the northern giraffe as a separate species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidepo Valley National Park</span> National park in Uganda

Kidepo Valley National Park is a 1,442 square kilometres (557 sq mi) national park in the Karamoja region in northeast Uganda. Kidepo is rugged savannah, dominated by the 2,750 metres (9,020 ft) Mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus rivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potawatomi Zoo</span> Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, U.S.

The Potawatomi Zoo is a 23-acre (9.3 ha) zoological park located in South Bend, Indiana, United States. The zoo is nestled in Potawatomi Park between the St. Joseph River and the Grand Trunk railroad in the east side neighborhood of River Park. Founded in 1921, it is Indiana's oldest zoo. It features over 400 animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo has over 200,000 visitors each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rothschild's giraffe</span> Population of Giraffe

Rothschild's giraffe is an ecotype of the Nubian giraffe. It is one of the most endangered distinct populations of giraffe, with 1,399 mature individuals estimated in the wild in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kordofan giraffe</span> Subspecies of giraffe

The Kordofan giraffe is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in northern Cameroon, southern Chad, the Central African Republic, and possibly western Sudan. They usually live in tree savannas, bush savannas and thorn savannas. Compared to most other subspecies, the Kordofan giraffe is relatively small at 3.8 to 4.7 meters, with more irregular spots on the inner legs. There are around 2,300 individuals living in the wild. In the wild, female Kordofan giraffes live in loose groups, whilst males live solitary. They have an average lifespan of around 35 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West African giraffe</span> Subspecies of giraffe

The West African giraffe, also known as the Niger giraffe, is a species or subspecies of the giraffe distinguished by its light colored spots. Its last self-sustaining herd is in southwest Niger, supported by a series of refuges in Dosso Region and the tourist center at Kouré, some 80km southeast of Niamey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African giraffe</span> Subspecies of southern giraffe

The South African giraffe or Cape giraffe is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique. It has rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thornicroft's giraffe</span> Subspecies of giraffe

Thornicroft's giraffe, also known as the Rhodesian giraffe or Luangwa giraffe, is a subspecies of giraffe. It is sometimes considered a species in its own right or a subspecies of the Masai giraffe. It is geographically isolated, occurring only in Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley. An estimated 550 live in the wild, with no captive populations. Its lifespan is 22 years for males and 28 years for females. The ecotype was originally named after Harry Scott Thornicroft, a commissioner in what was then North-Eastern Rhodesia and later Northern Rhodesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruma National Park</span> National park Nyanza Province, Kenya

Ruma National Park is the only terrestrial park in Kenya's Nyanza Province. Dubbed the "Last Retreat of the Roan Antelope", the park protects the only indigenous population of rare roan antelopes within Kenya. At present, the population is on the verge of extinction with individual populations numbering approximately 40. The park was established in 1966 as Lambwe Valley Game Reserve. It was later renamed “Ruma” after one of Kenya's most powerful wizard, the much feared Gor Mahia who lived around the park. The park is located in the vast Lambwe Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calauit Safari Park</span> Safari park in Philippines

Calauit Safari Park is a wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines which was originally created in 1976 as a game reserve featuring large African mammals, translocated there under the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos during his 21-year rule of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nubian giraffe</span> Subspecies of giraffe

The Nubian giraffe, also known as Baringo giraffe or Ugandan giraffe, is the nominate subspecies or species of giraffe. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan. It is currently extinct in the wild of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt and Eritrea. The Nubian giraffe used to be widespread in northeast Africa. The subspecies was listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN in 2018 for the first time due to a 95% decline in the past three decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angolan giraffe</span> Subspecies of southern giraffe

The Angolan giraffe, also known as the Namibian giraffe or smokey giraffe, is a species or subspecies of giraffe that is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, western Zimbabwe and since mid-2023 again in Angola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern giraffe</span> Species of giraffe

The southern giraffe, also known as two-horned giraffe, is a species of giraffe native to Southern Africa. However, the IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.

References

  1. ↑ "Fossilworks: Giraffa camelopardalis".
  2. 1 2 Muneza, A.; Doherty, J.B.; Hussein Ali, A.; Fennessy, J.; Marais, A.; O'Connor, D.; Wube, T. (2018). "Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. reticulata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T88420717A88420720. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T88420717A88420720.en . Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  3. ↑ Groves, Colin; Grubb, Peter (2011). Ungulate Taxonomy. JHU Press. pp. 68–70. ISBN   9781421400938.
  4. 1 2 3 "Netzgiraffe - Tierpark Hellabrunn". www.hellabrunn.de. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  5. ↑ "Giraffe | National Geographic". 2011-03-10. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tierart (Detailansicht)". www.wilhelma.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  7. 1 2 "Rare white giraffes spotted in Kenya conservation area". Naaman Zhou, The Guardian, 14 September 2017. Accessed 14 September 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Observations - iNaturalist". iNaturalist. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  9. ↑ ISIS (2010). Giraffa. Version 1 October 2010
  10. ↑ Bercovitch, Fred B.; Berry, Philip S.M.; Dagg, Anne; Deacon, Francois; Doherty, John B.; Lee, Derek E.; Mineur, Frédéric; Muller, Zoe; Ogden, Rob (2017-02-20). "How many species of giraffe are there?". Current Biology. 27 (4): R136–R137. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.039 . hdl: 20.500.11820/4c828f1a-f644-4268-9197-eb50244a1d75 . ISSN   0960-9822. PMID   28222287.
  11. ↑ Wood, William F.; Weldon, Paul J. (2002). "The scent of the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 30 (10): 913–917. doi:10.1016/S0305-1978(02)00037-6.
  12. ↑ "Netzgiraffe". Zoo Zürich (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  13. ↑ "Netzgiraffe – Tiergarten Schönbrunn". www.zoovienna.at (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  14. 1 2 "Giraffe Facts | CMZoo". www.cmzoo.org. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
  15. ↑ Carmignani, Karyl (2016-06-22). "Safari Park Longnecks". ZOONOOZ. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  16. ↑ "Giraffe - San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants". SanDiegoZoo.org.
  17. ↑ "Carter Giraffe Building - Bronx Zoo". bronxzoo.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  18. ↑ "Rothschild's Giraffe | Mammals | Chester Zoo". www.chesterzoo.org. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  19. ↑ "Find & Learn About Our Giraffes | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". buschgardens.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  20. ↑ "Reticulated Giraffe - The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore". The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  21. ↑ "African Grasslands". www.omahazoo.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  22. ↑ "Reticulated Giraffe". Binder Park Zoo. Retrieved 2023-12-06.

Bercovitch FB, Berry PSM. 2009. Reproductive life history of Thornicroft's giraffe in Zambia. African Journal of Ecology. 48(2):535-538. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01145.x

Bercovitch FB, Berry PSM. 2012. Herd composition, kinship and fission-fusion social dynamics among wild giraffe. African Journal of Ecology. 51(2):206-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aje.12024

Bercovitch FB, Deacon F. 2015. Gazing at a giraffe gyroscope: Where are we going? African Journal of Ecology. 53(2):135-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aje.12222

Dagg AI. 2014. Giraffe: biology, behaviour and conservation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Fennessy J. 2009. Home range and seasonal movements of Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis in the northern Namib Desert. African Journal of Ecology. 47(3):318.

Pellew RA (1984b) The feeding ecology of a selective browser, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi). Journal of Zoology 202: 57– 81.

Langman VA. 1977. Cow-calf relationships in giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa). Ethology. 43(3):264-286. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1977.tb00074.x

Wilson DE, Mittermeier RA, editors. Handbook of the mammals of the world, volume 2. Barcelona (Spain): Lynx Edicions; c2011. Family Giraffidae, Hoofed Mammals; p. 788-802.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.