Giraffidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GiraffidaeTemporal range: Miocene - Recent
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Giraffidae
Gray, 1821
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The Giraffidae are a special group of mammals. They belong to the order of even-toed ungulates. This means they have hooves with an even number of toes. Today, there are only two living species in this family: the amazing Giraffe and the unique Okapi.
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What are Giraffidae?
The Giraffidae family includes some of the most recognizable animals in Africa. These animals are known for their long necks and legs. They are also famous for their special horn-like growths called ossicones.
Members of the Giraffidae Family
There are two main types of animals in the Giraffidae family alive today:
- The Giraffe, known for being the tallest land animal.
- The Okapi, which looks a bit like a zebra but is actually related to the giraffe.
Where Do They Live?
Both giraffes and okapis live in Africa. They live in different parts of the continent, south of the huge Sahara Desert.
Giraffe Homes
Giraffes prefer to live in open savannas. These are wide grasslands with scattered trees and bushes. They can find plenty of leaves to eat there.
Okapi Homes
Okapis live in a very different place. They live deep inside the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their striped legs help them hide among the trees.
How Do They Look?
Both giraffes and okapis share some interesting features. They both have long necks and legs. They also have long, blue tongues that they use to grab leaves from trees.
Special Head Growths
Male and female giraffes have small, horn-like bumps on their heads. These are called ossicones. Male okapis also have these ossicones. They are covered with soft skin and fur.
Size Differences
Giraffes are truly giants! They are the tallest animals living on land. They can stand over 5 meters (about 16 feet) tall. Okapis are much smaller. They are only up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall.
Images for kids
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Shansitherium and Palaeotragus microdon, two ancient giraffids from Asia
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A drawing of the skeleton of Helladotherium, an extinct giraffe relative
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A skeleton of Palaeotragus on display at the Tianjin Natural History Museum
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A skeleton of Shansitherium tafeli on display at the Beijing Museum of Natural History
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Two giraffes in Mikumi National Park
See also
In Spanish: Jiráfidos para niños
