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.

At full speed and for short distances, giraffes can reach speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kph). Compared to a galloping horse, which can run up to 40 mph (64 kph), they’re pretty similar—just on stilts!

Reaching heights up to 18 ft (5.5 m) tall, mature male reticulated giraffes can weigh up to 4,200 lb (1,900 kg), with females reaching up to 16 ft (4.8 m) tall and up to 2,600 lb (1,180 kg).

A giraffe’s neck alone is around 6 ft (1.8m) long—taller than the average human! That’s roughly 600 lb (272 kg) of muscle and bone, with 7 vertebrae, just like us. Those vertebrae just happen to be up to 10 in (25.4 cm) long each.

A giraffe’s tongue is an impressive 18–20 in (45.7–50.8 cm) long! Its purple-ish hue helps protect it from sunburn as it reaches high to strip leaves from branches.

Wipe with damp sponge or cloth, using warm water and mild soap. Once dry, brush to restore the plush and proceed with snuggling.