Giraffidae
family of mammals
Giraffids are mammals, in the order of the even-toed ungulates. The family has two living species, the giraffe and the okapi.
Giraffids Temporal range: Miocene - recent
Early | |
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An okapi in Bristol Zoo, England | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Superfamily: | Giraffoidea |
Family: | Giraffidae Gray, 1821 |
Genera | |
See text |
Taxonomy
changeHabitat
changeThe giraffe and the okapi both live in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. The giraffe lives in open savannas, while the okapi lives in the rainforests of the Congo.
Appearance
changeBoth animals have long necks and legs and long blue tongues. Male and female giraffes and male okapis have small horn-like stumps on their heads which are covered with skin.
Giraffes are the tallest animal living on land, with a height of over 5 m. Okapis are smaller, only up to 2 m tall.
Wikispecies has information on: Giraffidae.
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