The Giraffe

By S. P.

Outline• Introduction• Outline• Vocabulary• Place of Living• Life• Anatomy• Necks• Food• Social Life• Babies• Interesting Facts• A Task for the Class• Conclusion

Vocabulary

• Adult - dospělý• Female - samička• Male - sameček• In captivity – v zajetí• Average - průměrný• Weight - váha• Tongue - jazyk• Defence - obrana• Against - proti

• Insects - hmyz• Birth - narození• Twigs - větvičky• Chew - žvýkat• Swallow - polykat• Inhabit - obývat• Hum -• Pattern - vzor• Gestation – doba březosti• Adulthood - dospělost

Place of Living• usually inhabit savannas, grasslands and

open woodlands

Life

• lifespan up to 25 years in the wild• size, eyesight and powerful kicks: adult giraffes are

usually not in danger • Lions and crocodilles• Calfs – only ¼ - ½ reach adulthood• by leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs

Anatomy

• Adult giraffe is 4.3–5.7 m tall• males taller than females• 1,192 kg - the average weight for an adult male • 828 kg for an adult female• see in colour• sharp hearing and smell• tongue is about 45 cm long • Tail: 1m, defense against insects

Necks

• Neck up to 2–2.4 m• Male giraffes use their necks as weapons in

combats• Babies necks get long a few weeks after their

birth

Feeding

• twigs of trees, shrubs, grass and fruit• around 34 kg daily• the giraffe first chews its food, then swallows

and back into the mouth to chew again• giraffe drinks at intervals no longer than three

days• in captivity, sleeps around 4.6 hours per day,

mostly at night

Social Life• Live in groups• communicate using various sounds• communicate over long distances using infrasound• During nighttime, giraffes hum to each other

above the infrasound range – we don´t know why

Babies • gestation 400–460 days• a single calf is normally born• twins occur sometimes (not very often)• Mother gives birth standing up• head and front legs first • falls to the ground• Mum helps the baby to stand up• newborn giraffe is about 1.7–2 m tall• Can run a few hours after the birth

Interesting Facts• Each individual giraffe has a unique coat

pattern• can sprint at speed of up to 60 km/h • can run at 50 km/h for several kilometres• can close its nose to protect against

sandstorms and ants

A Task for the Class

• Why do the giraffes close their noses?• What do they use the tail for?• How many babies are usually born?• What do the male giraffes use the necks for?• How long is adult giraffe´s neck?• Can giraffes smell and hear well?• What do the giraffes eat?

Thank you for your attention