Written by Harrison Buck (Westminster College)
Common Name: Southern giraffe
Latin Name: Giraffa camelopardalis
Setswana Name: Thutlwa (too-twa)
Giraffa camelopardalis, commonly known as the southern giraffe, is the tallest of all land mammals, with adult males able to reach 5.5 meters tall and females reaching 3-4 meters. The giraffe is one of the more peculiar looking species in the animal kingdom, due to their very long legs and neck. Giraffes are covered in irregular brown patches that vary in color and shape. Giraffes found in the Okavango Delta are often more lightly colored, but can darken with age. As they mature, melanin is produced by amino acids in their body and oxidized upon contacting air. They have a mane that stands up along their neck and upper back. Both males and females have hair covered horns, which are a protrusion of the skull.
Mature males may lose the hair on top of the horns through fighting. A process called “necking,” which involves swinging their massive necks and smacking their opponent or predator with the top of their head. Some males can even develop larger horns through a bizarre process known as osteophagia, where a male will chew on bones from the remains of lion kills to gain more calcium and other minerals to strengthen their own bones. The increased head weight simply improves the weapon of choice and increases their likelihood of survival or mating. Larger, thicker horns and the absence of hair also helps to determine the sex of an individual. Which is a useful tool for herbivore demography surveys.
Giraffes, being browsers, prefer open woodland habitats and particularly like to feed on Camel Thorn Acacia trees (Acacia erioloba), which are abundant in the Delta. They gestate for about 15 months and have a life expectancy of around 20-25 years. They have relatively loose social structures, with the only permanent bond being between mother and calf which generally lasts about 4-5 years. Interestingly, there are three different names for a congregation of giraffes in an area. If they are standing, they are referred to as a “tower,” if they are walking they are called a “journey,” and if they are running they are a “stride” of giraffes. Giraffes are usually silent, but sometimes communicate by means of bellows, grunts, coughs, snorts, and even growls. However, white markings behind the ears are used as a visual following signal, which is their main form of communication.
There is a discrepancy in the scientific community about the control of blood to the head of giraffes, but it is no doubt that their necks require considerable amounts of pressure to force blood up to the brain against the pull against gravity. Some authors give reference to spreading capillaries that slow down the blood to the head by means of friction, by dispersing the blood into smaller and smaller vessels, thereby increasing resistance as they bend down to drink.
Giraffe are just one of the incredible species found here in the Delta, but there is no doubt that it is one of the more breathtaking to see in the wild. They look as if they were sent down by aliens or drawn up by a kindergartener, and there are little words to describe the feeling you get when you encounter them in the Okavango Delta.
This semester we’ve already seen 20+ giraffes in a variety of groupings, and it’s only been 2 weeks! At our first concession, near the village of Sankuyo, we saw a lone male walk right up to the water hole where our camp was set up. It took a drink, looked at us for a few minutes then casually walked off.
This season Botswana has already received double the amount of its average annual rainfall, and there’s no sign of stopping. This means unusually tall grasses, which is also somewhat difficult for wildlife spotting. Although, the giraffe is typically pretty easy to spot because it’s so tall, but it’s also kind of funny because you can only see their neck and back. Their legs are hidden by the tall grass, making it look like they are just floating along. They probably don’t have any problem with all the lush vegetation which comes along with the rain, because we always see them eating. They are always munching away not paying us much mind, which is hilarious to watch. They are such mellow animals which is why I think I like them so much. I just wish I could ride one into the sunset and hangout with them for a while. I can’t wait to see more of these guys, hopefully doing some more funny things. Cheers to the Delta and more giraffe!
Top photo by Hank Dodge.