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The giraffe (Giraffa) is a genus of African ungulates, the largest living land animals and the largest ruminants. The genus currently consists of one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, the type species. Seven other species are extinct, prehistoric species known from fossils. Taxonomic classifications of one to eight existing giraffe species based on studies of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and morphological measurements of Giraffa have been described, but the IUCN currently recognizes only one species with nine subspecies.
The main distinguishing features of the giraffe are its extremely long neck and legs, their horny ossicones and their striking fur patterns. It is classified under the Giraffidae family, along with its closest existing relative, the Okapi. The distribution area extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes usually inhabit savannas and forests. Their food sources are leaves, fruits and flowers of woody plants, especially acacia species, which they search at heights that most other herbivores can not reach. They can be hunted by lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs. Giraffes live in herds of related females and their offspring or bachelor herds of unrelated adult males, but are sociable and can gather in large gatherings. Men establish social hierarchies through "necking", ie combat missions in which the neck is used as a weapon. Dominant males receive mating access to females who are solely responsible for rearing the young.
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