The Trek Bracelet

Giraffes are one of the most recognizable large mammals on Earth, yet we know very little about their biology and conservation needs. This is because giraffes, due to their unique anatomy, have not been good candidates for collaring until recently. Recent advancements in technology have allowed our partners at the Somali Giraffe Project to track these unique animals in an effort to understand their movements and habitat use.

For example, tracking helps us understand giraffes' home range sizes and how they move and utilize their landscape, how they select resources and share the landscape with humans, and ultimately provides insight into the drivers of their decline. Some of the contemporary threats facing giraffes include poaching, bushmeat trade, diseases, habitat loss, and climate change. Through this process, scientists are able to gauge critical conservation needs and deduce from the data how best to save giraffes from extinction.

To learn more about why giraffes are tracked, visit our partner Somali Giraffe Project directly at somaligiraffe.org.

Giraffes are tracked by placing a tag on their tail, which sends back hourly GPS locations via satellite to our partners at the Somali Giraffe Project. During the tagging process, their team is also able to take body measurements and other vitals as well as blood and hair samples, depending on the specific research needs. This process is very quick and lasts less than 5–10 minutes from tagging to release.

To learn more, visit our partner directly at somaligiraffe.org.

Giraffe research historically has lagged behind compared to other large mammals. This is because typical collars placed on the neck of animals do not fit giraffes well, as they slide right off when the animal bends. Recently, scientists have tried to figure out the best way to put tags on giraffes. Initial trials recommended putting solar powered tags on the ossicones of giraffes, but these generated controversy and were discontinued. More recently, this has changed to putting the same tags on the giraffes' tail, and this has been shown not to harm the giraffe at all. These very light solar powered devices do not affect the animal in terms of their behavior or health, and are the safest way to track giraffes currently!

To learn more, visit our partner directly at somaligiraffe.org.

Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world, with their legs alone measuring around 6 feet (1.8 meters). When fully grown and standing upright, giraffes can reach a height of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) or even more. Adult male giraffes usually weigh about 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms) while females weigh about 1,180 pounds (535 kilograms).

Giraffes use a variety of sounds to communicate with one another. The most common sound is a deep rumbling, which has been described as comparable to the purring of a cat. Giraffes also make moans and snorts, either alone or in combination with the rumbling sound. Finally, high-pitched squeaks can signal surprise or alarm.

Giraffes are herbivores, so their diet consists mainly of leaves, buds, and fruits from trees and shrubs. They also eat grasses and herbs when available. Special adaptations such as long necks and tongues help giraffes reach high-growing foliage to satisfy their appetites. Giraffes typically spend 16–20 hours per day foraging for food in the wild.

Giraffes live in the savannas and woodlands of Africa, where they can find plenty of trees to browse. Sub-Saharan Africa is their primary habitat, with some populations existing in northwestern Ethiopia, southeastern Niger, and south-central Chad. They generally prefer areas with open terrain and scattered trees so that they can spot predators easily and feed safely.

Yes, giraffes are currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population has been declining significantly since the 1990s due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Although there have been some conservation efforts recently, their numbers continue to drop, making them an endangered species.

Giraffes have a relatively long lifespan when compared to other animals. In the wild, they usually live up to 25 years, while in captivity they can reach close to 40 years. However, their life span is decreasing due to habitat destruction and hunting by humans. Conservation efforts are essential for ensuring that giraffes continue to survive in their natural environment for many more generations.

A group of giraffes is called a tower due to their tall, upright formations when grazing or watching for predators.