Masai Giraffe

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Masai Giraffe
Conservation status
Near Threatened
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Giraffidae Genus: Giraffa Species: G. camelopardalis Subspecies: G. c. tippelskirchi
Trinomial name
Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi
Masai Giraffe range

The Masai Giraffe, also known as the Kilimanjaro Giraffe is a subspecies of Giraffe. Masai giraffe have jagged spots on their bodies. Originally the masai giraffe lived throughout Africa but currently, due to loss of habitat and deforestation, the giraffe only lives in Kenya and Tanzania.

There is no seasonal breeding season for the giraffe. A masai can get pregnant at age 4. About 50 to 75% of the calves die in their first few months due to predators. Even though many calves die, the mother will try to stab predators such as hyenas or lions with its sharp hooves. This action may injure or kill a predator quickly.

A masai has 7 vertabrae on its back. It has a short tassle of hair on its tail. A female has thick headhair, but a male is bald on top. They both have 2 to 5 horns on the heads, all of which are bone covered with a thin layer of skin.

Masai Giraffes in Masai Mara reserve.