Tower of Grace: Exploring the World of Giraffes
Rothschild’s giraffe, scientifically known as Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, is one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies and is found in scattered populations across East Africa, including Uganda. They’re known for their long necks, which can reach impressive lengths of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in adult males. These long necks allow them to browse leaves from tall trees, their primary source of food.
Rothschild’s giraffes are easily recognizable by their unique coat pattern. They have large, irregularly shaped patches that are more geometrically shaped and less jagged than those of other giraffe subspecies. Additionally, their coloration tends to be lighter, with white stockings on their legs. Both male and female giraffes have two distinct, hair-covered horns called ossicones. Male giraffes use their horns to sometimes fight with other males.
Habitat: These giraffes primarily inhabit savanna woodlands and grasslands. In Uganda, they can be found in protected areas such as Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and occasionally in other areas with suitable habitat.
Giraffes are commonly found in open savannas and grasslands, which provide them with ample space to roam and graze. These habitats often have scattered trees and bushes, allowing giraffes to feed on the leaves and shoots of various plant species.
Giraffes are also found in open woodlands, especially those with a mix of trees and shrubs. They prefer areas where there are sufficient tall trees, particularly acacias, which are their primary source of food. Woodlands offer a combination of browsing opportunities and some cover from the sun and potential predators.
Social life
Giraffes are fascinating creatures, known for their long necks and graceful appearance. While they may not have as complex social structures as some other animals like elephants or primates, they do exhibit interesting social behaviors.
A group of giraffes is called a “tower.” These towers can vary in size from just a few individuals to over 20 giraffes. Towers are not necessarily stable groups and individuals may come and go. Giraffes usually form groups that vary in size and composition according to ecological, anthropogenic, temporal, and social factors. More recent studies have found that giraffes have long lasting social groups or cliques based on kinship, sex or other factors, and these groups regularly associate with other groups in larger communities.
Giraffes are not territorial animals, and they often roam vast areas in search of food. However, they do form social bonds within their towers. These bonds are usually between females and their calves, or between males who may form loose associations known as “bachelor herds.”
Giraffes communicate through various vocalizations, such as moans, snorts, and hisses, although these are not as well understood as the communication methods of some other species. They also use their bodies and postures to communicate, such as necking (swinging their necks at each other) during fights or displays of dominance.
During the mating season, male giraffes engage in a behavior known as “necking,” where they use their long necks as weapons to establish dominance and win mating rights with females. This involves swinging their necks and heads at each other in a ritualized fight. The winner earns the right to mate with receptive females.
While giraffe social structures are not as rigid as those of some other animals, there is some evidence to suggest that they may have a hierarchical structure within towers, with certain individuals having more influence or dominance over others.
Giraffes are often found in association with other animals, such as zebras and antelopes. These associations can provide benefits such as increased vigilance against predators and access to different food sources.
