Giraffes and the Jugular Vein

The jugular vein that runs the length of the giraffe's neck is an extremely important part of them being able to drink water. This vein has a number of valves that reduce the amount of backflow of blood from the giraffe's head.

This is important because if this vein did not have the valves, the giraffes would blackout each time that they took a drink. If you stand on your head or hang upside-down too long, you can begin to feel the blood that rushes into your head. This is kind of the same thing that happens to giraffes, only it has a major effect on these animals.

How Much Water Giraffes Drink

Giraffes have to be careful when they are drinking. These animals are most prone to being attacked by their predators while they are drinking. This is because they have to stand in an extremely awkward position in order for them to be able to reach the water. The giraffes can get a lot of the water that they need from the leaves that they eat; however, this does not take care of all of the water that they need. Typically, giraffes can drink about 10 gallons of water each day. Normally, they will get water from the rivers and seas that are around them.

Distinctive Characteristics of Giraffes

If you look at a giraffe, you will notice that they have a number of distinctive characteristics. One of the main parts of giraffes that are unique to this species is that they have an extremely long neck. When it comes to the various mammals that you find around the world, there is no doubt that the giraffe has the longest neck. The extremely long neck of the giraffe allows these animals to be able to reach the leaves that are high on the trees. This is very important because the giraffes would not be able to survive if they could not reach the leaves.

Giraffes in Africa

Birth of the Baby Giraffe

The female giraffe, which is known as the cow, will typically become pregnant with her first baby when she is 5 years old. After 15 months of being pregnant, the baby giraffe, or calf, is born. When they are first born, the calves of these animals are already 6 feet tall and 150 pounds. When the calf is being born, the mother stands, and the baby falls about 6 feet once is has been given birth to. Within an hour of being born, the baby giraffe will begin standing and drinking milk from its mother. In the wild, giraffes typically live about 25 years.

Interesting Facts about the Giraffe

Giraffes are considered to be mammals. This means that they have fur on their bodies, and they give birth to live young. These animals are herbivores, and they mainly eat a diet of leaves. Giraffes have extremely long tongues, and this helps them to be able to pull the leaves off of the trees. These kinds of animals can be found on the continent of Africa. Giraffes have the appearance kind of like horses. One of the things that giraffes have in common with horses is that they have hooves. They also have four legs, which is much like many other animals.