Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world! They can grow 14 to 19 feet  tall. They have a short fur coat with a unique pattern of dark patches surrounded by lighter fur. They have extremely long necks, measuring 7 to 10 feet. Giraffes have small "horns" called ossicones, which are bony projections covered with fur. They have four very long, slender legs. Their feet have hooves, like horses or cows. They have large eyes and excellent eyesight to spot predators from far away. Their ears are long and can move to catch sounds. Each giraffe's spot pattern is unique, like human fingerprints. They have very long, dark tongues (up to 21 inches)that help them eat leaves from thorny trees.

Giraffes live in various parts of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. They prefer open woodlands and savannas where trees are plentiful. They can also live in grasslands near wooded areas. Giraffes live in hot, dry climates. Giraffes roam over large areas in search of food.They don't need much shelter and often sleep standing up in the open.

Giraffes are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They love to eat leaves, especially from acacia trees. They also eat fruits, seeds, and sometimes grasses. Giraffes use their long necks and tongues to reach high branches other animals can't access. They can eat up to 75 pounds of food per day! Like cows, giraffes have multiple stomach chambers and chew their cud. Giraffes help shape their environment by pruning trees as they eat.

Their height allows them to see predators from far away and reach food other animals can't. They have a special circulatory system to manage blood flow in their long necks. Their spotted pattern is camouflage and helps them blend in with dappled sunlight and shadows in trees. They can deliver powerful kicks with their long legs to defend against predators. Their height makes it difficult for most predators to attack them. Lions and hyenas might attack young or sick giraffes. Giraffes can go for long periods without drinking water. They often live in loose groups called towers. When one giraffe spots danger, it alerts the others. The young male giraffes use their necks to fight each other to determine who is in charge. This is called necking.