The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant. Its scientific name, which is similar to its archaic English name of camelopard, refers to its irregular patches of color on a light background, which bear a token resemblance to a leopard's spots, and its face, which is similar to that of a camel. In addition to these features, the giraffe is notable for its extremely long neck and legs and prominent horns. The giraffe stands 5–6 meters (16–20 ft) tall with males averaging 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb) and females average 830 kilograms (1,800 lb). The giraffe is classified under the family Giraffidae along with its closest extant relative the okapi. Eight subspecies of giraffe exist and they all differ by size, color and pattern variations and range.
Overall, the range of the giraffe extends from Chad in Central Africa to South Africa. Giraffes usually inhabit savannas, grasslands or open woodlands. However, when food is scarce they will venture into areas with denser vegetation. They prefer areas with plenty of acacia growth. Thanks to their extreme height, giraffes are able to browse for vegetation unreachable to most other herbivores. They are also nearly invulnerable to predation. However, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs may prey on calves and lions may take adults in some areas. Although they commonly gather together, giraffes have no social bonds outside of mothers and calves. Male giraffes engage in necking contests for combat or even homosexual courtships. Being polygamous, males will mate with multiple females. Female giraffes bare the sole reasonability for the raising of their young.
The giraffe has been prized by the Western world for its exotic appearance, both during antiquity and in modern times. Giraffes have been featured in various paintings, novels and cartoons. Despite its popularity, the giraffe has been extirpated from many parts of its former range, with some subspecies classified as endangered. Nevertheless, they can still be found in numerous reserves. As a species, the giraffe is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern.
The name "giraffe" has its earliest known origins in the Arabic word الزرافة al-zirāfah, perhaps from an African name. There were several Middle Eastern spellings such as jarraf, ziraph, and gerfauntz. The Italian form giraffa arose in the 1590's from Arabic. It appears in English from the 16th century through the French girafe. The species name camelopardalis (camelopard) is derived from its Latin name, where it was described as having characteristics of both a camel and a leopard.
