Giraffe Behavior

Giraffes are social animals. Female giraffes associate in groups called herds, occasionally including a few younger males. Mature males live in "bachelor" herds and fight for dominance using their necks. older males are usually solitary.

Giraffes feed and drink during the morning and evening. They eat leaves, twigs and bark from the tops of the thorny acacia plant. Giraffes use their rubbery lips and very long tongue to pluck leaves. An adult giraffe may consume up to 140 pounds of foliage a day. Giraffes must spread their front legs wide in order to reach the water to drink.

Communication sounds for giraffes are moaning, snoring, hissing, and flutelike sounds. The acute eyesight of giraffes can spot predators from distance. When it is angry, a giraffe will lower its neck until it is almost horizontal.