There are some animals that are truly fascinating. One animal that is pretty high up this list is the giraffe. From a young age, we are taught that giraffes are magnificent creatures. But are giraffes friendly?
Their long necks make them totally unique, and their magnificent size leaves tons of people wanting to see these creatures in person.
Until you see a giraffe in person, you will not be able to understand just how breathtaking these animals are.
You can probably see giraffes in a zoo near you, but for the best experience, you should see these creatures in their natural habitat.
Giraffes are not one of the big five, but they are a big part of why so many people go on game drives during safaris in Tanzania.
You might have visions of yourself meeting a giraffe for the first time, and even striking it. But one thing you might want to ask yourself first is “are giraffes friendly?”.
It is easy to assume that these magnificent beasts will be gentle and friendly, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In this guide, we’ll have a look at whether, or not, giraffes are friendly.
Keep on reading to find out more!
What Are Giraffes?
Most people know what giraffes are, but just in case, let’s have a look. Well, as we have said, giraffes are magnificent creatures that are most famous because of their unique experience.
Giraffes have incredibly long necks that allow them to eat leaves directly from trees.
It is these long necks that make these animals so famous because there really are no other creatures quite like them on the planet.
Giraffes hail from Africa. They have a coat pattern that is made up of irregular splodges that is instantly recognizable.
There are actually 4 different species of giraffe, but all 4 have a fairly similar appearance. To put it bluntly, you will always be able to recognize a giraffe, it is not a species that will confuse you.
By 4 years of age, giraffes will reach their adult height. They normally measure between 4.5 and 5.5 meters, depending on whether they are male (a bull) or female (a cow).
They will continue to gain weight as they age. Giraffes will typically live for up to 25 years in the wild, and there are an estimated 68,000 giraffes living in the wild, with around 28,850 of these giraffes living in Tanzania.
While they are not considered endangered, giraffes are a “vulnerable” species as their natural habitat is being lost, and they are at risk of illegal hunting. But are they friendly? Let’s find out.
Are Giraffes Friendly?
Generally speaking, yes, giraffes are friendly. These creatures tend to have gentle personalities and aren’t a species that would actively attack a human being.
So, even though these creatures are massive, you don’t need to worry about them attacking you if you encounter one in the wild. Unless they feel threatened, giraffes are unlikely to lash out.
