Where do giraffes live in the wild?
Quick answer
Wild giraffes live naturally only in Africa, mainly in savannas, grasslands and open woodlands south of the Sahara. They’re found in about 21 countries, from Niger and Chad to Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and South Africa. Giraffes are the tallest animals on Earth, with males reaching about 5.5 m (18 ft).
Key facts
- Continent
- Africa only
- Height
- Males up to about 5.5 m (18 ft)
- Wild population
- About 117,000 (2020 estimate)
- Neck bones
- 7, the same number as humans
Giraffe species
For a long time, all giraffes were treated as one species. In 2016, a genetic study suggested there are four species. The IUCN, which assesses conservation status, still recognizes one species with several subspecies, so you may see either classification.
| Proposed species | Main range |
|---|---|
| Northern giraffe | Central and West Africa, Sudan, Ethiopia |
| Reticulated giraffe | Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia |
| Masai giraffe | Kenya, Tanzania |
| Southern giraffe | Southern Africa |
Built for height
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Neck | Up to about 2 m long, but only 7 vertebrae, each very long |
| Heart | About 11 kg, pumping hard to push blood up to the brain |
| Tongue | Up to about 50 cm long; dark, possibly to prevent sunburn |
| Legs | About 1.8 m long; giraffes can run up to about 55 km/h |
They feed mainly on acacia leaves, stripping them from thorny branches with their tongues.
Why numbers fell
Wild giraffe numbers dropped by roughly 30% in the late 20th century because of habitat loss, poaching and civil unrest. Some populations, such as the West African giraffes in Niger, came close to disappearing but have since grown thanks to protection. Conservationists have called the decline a “silent extinction” because it got little attention.
Giraffe facts
- Giraffes sleep only a few hours a day, often in short naps.
- A newborn calf drops about 1.5 m to the ground at birth and can stand within an hour.
- Each giraffe’s coat pattern is unique, like a fingerprint.
For the tallest land animal’s speedy neighbor, see what the fastest land animal is. For Africa’s biggest lake, see the largest lake in Africa.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.