Giraffes Kick Butt!
Adult giraffes are very large animals, which makes them basically invulnerable to predators. Lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas will prey on calves when they are still young and weak. This means the mother giraffes must protect their young until they are strong enough to avoid predators on their own. Scientist have found that only a quarter of calves survive within a year of being born because they are so weak and defenseless against predators.
One of the only times giraffes are vulnerable to predators is when they are drinking water from a lake or stream. To drink from something that low to the ground giraffes must spread their legs extremely far apart, which doesn’t allow them to run from, or kick a predator that approaches them. Lions are the main predators of giraffes because they are able to jump on them when they are bent over in this vulnerable position. This is why giraffes must travel in herds to drink from a water source. Half of the herd will drink while the other half protects them from potential predators. If predators do approach the herd, giraffes use their powerful legs to kick. Their kicks are so strong that they can kill a lion instantly if they kick them in the right spot. Also, giraffes have excellent eyesight that allows them to see a predator approaching from a far distance. If they do see a predator, they are able to run away. If a predator is able to catch a giraffe, it is very difficult for them to tear the giraffe’s tough, thick skin.
Because giraffes usually inhabit areas of open savannas, they are better able to see an approaching predator as compared to an area, such as a dense forest, where it is hard to see predators that could potentially be hiding and waiting to attack.
Interesting Fact of the Week: The most serious danger to giraffes existence are humans! Many people hunt them for their skins, even though it is illegal.
Clara. "Giraffe Predators." Document Moved. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://www.asij.ac.jp/elementary/projects/2-eb/zoo/clarak.htm>.
"Giraffe Fact Sheet - National Zoo| FONZ." Welcome to the National Zoo| FONZ Website. 25 Jan. 2010. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/fact-giraffe.cfm>.
"Giraffes." KIDCYBER. Jan. 2012. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/giraffe.htm>.
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ReplyDeleteWow the giraffes spreading their legs so far apart to get a drink is so CUTE! The part of this blog where you talk about the babies being the most vulnerable and defenseless makes me curious about the parent's protective behaviors. Why is it that only the mothers protect their young, are the fathers absent from the young giraffes life once it is conceived by the mother?
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