Apple #533: Giraffes

I am currently overwhelmed with work so I don't have time to do a lengthy entry tonight. I'm also a bit stressed. So I thought I'd choose a gentle topic.

What could be more gentle than giraffes? They seem very calming. Just thinking about them seems soothing.

I wonder how many of them are strolling around out there.


The Wildlife Conservation Society describes giraffes as "peaceful amblers."
(Photo from Tree of Life)

• There are nearly 100,00 giraffes in the world.

• Conservation people put this number in negative terms. "There are less than 100,000 left," they say. But that's more than I thought. 100,000 giraffes seems like a lot to me. More comforting than, say, 250.

See? Look at all these giraffes.
(Photo from WallpaperPimper)

• They live in particular areas across Africa, and people now think there may be 6 different species of them, which are distinct depending on their home region.
  

• In some regions, the populations are declining. In others, they're on the rise.

In general, this is where giraffes live. They like the savannahs.
(Map from Animal Fact Guide)

• People think that giraffe don't vocalize, but they actually do make sounds.
  

• Adult giraffes don't vocalize much at all, though the females might call to the calves, and the males sometimes make a coughing sound when courting.

• Calves are more vocal. They might mew or bleat. This video shows a young giraffe bleating. It takes a while to get to the giraffe noise. But the giraffe in the background while the guy is getting interviewed kept cracking me up.
  

Giraffe nuzzling calf
(Photo from Giraffes.org)

• Here's a fact that will surprise you: at 8 feet, the giraffe's tail is the longest of any mammal.

• Yup, you really can't go wrong with giraffes.
  

Good night, giraffes.
(Photo from Boost Inspiration)


Sources
Giraffe Sanctuary, How many species of giraffes exist?
Wildlife Conservation Society, Giraffe
Animal Fact Guide, Giraffe