Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis
We are home to 9 giraffe, 6 of them are the Nubian (formerly rothschild) sub-species. We have youngsters Mwezi Kianga and Bakora, their mums, dad, and three other hybrid geldings. They live out on our African Experience and have their own specially adapted house for the colder months.
They are endangered and sadly there are estimated to be only a population of less than 2500 mature individuals in the wild.
Want To Know More
Nubian giraffes are found in south Sudan, north Uganda, Ethiopia and west Kenya. Their diet consists of leaves and bark with their favourite being acacia trees. They spend up to 75 percent of the day eating. Their life span is 25 years.
Fun facts:
- Even though they have a long neck, approximately 2 meters, they have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans, just 7.
- When giraffe are walking they move the legs on one side first then the other side, this is unique to giraffes. They can run up to 35mph.
- Their tongue is 45cm long which helps them reach the best/ highest leaves on the tree, it is also blue/black in colour to stop it getting sunburnt when eating.
- Like human finger prints no two giraffes have the same coat pattern.
- After a 15 months gestation normally one calf is born and is able to stand within 30 mins and can run with the herd within an hour.
Come and meet the family!
We’re home to over 700 animals, including the largest herd of black rhino in the UK, western lowland gorillas, the only giraffe in Kent, tigers, lions, leopards, bears and so much more!
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