Giraffes live in savannas and in open bush country. It is native to most of Africa south of the Sahara.

One young is usually produced at birth; gestation is about 14 to 15 months.

The giraffe lives in herds. It feeds primarily on acacia leaves. To reach the ground or to drink, it must bend or spread its forelegs. Its gait, because of its long stride, is swifter than it appears; about 48 kilometres (30 miles) per hour is reached at a gallop. Its main predator, other than man, is the lion. When defending itself, the giraffe kicks with its heavy hooves. Males fight among themselves by swinging their heads at one another.

The voice of the giraffe has so rarely been heard that the animal is popularly supposed to be voiceless, but it can produce low call notes and moans.

Tallest of all mammals, the giraffe attains an overall height of 5.5 metres (18 feet) or more. An un-mistakeable animal, it has a comparatively short body and very long legs and neck. The back slopes downwards to the hindquarters, and the neck, despite its length, contains only the seven vertebrae typical of most mammals. The tail is tufted, and there is a short mane on the neck. Two to four short, skin-covered horns are present in both sexes and there is a central swelling, between the eyes, which in northern giraffes is almost as long as the horns. The coat is pale buff, covered to a greater or lesser extent with reddish brown spots that range from regular and geometric in some forms to irregular and botchy, or leaf-shaped, in others. Giraffe has keen sight, smell, and hearing.