Giraffe feed almost exclusively on the tender leaves of acacia trees and they are rarely seen anywhere but in areas where these trees grow. For all its great length, the giraffe's neck has only seven vertebrae, the same as man. A male giraffe weighs about 800 kgs and stands three and half meters at the shoulders and about 6 metres at the crown.

Giraffes have good eyesight (over 1 km) and can distinguish colours. They protect their young from lions by powerful kicks. Giraffe walk with a characteristic gait that brings both limbs on the same side forward together.