CHAPTER 51 Giraffidae 625 11. Gahlot TK: Selected topics on camelias, Bikaner, India, 18. Saltin B, Rose RJ: The racing camel. Acta Physiologica 2000, Sankhla Printers. Scandanavia 15(617):19-23, 1994. 12. Gauthier-Pilters H, Dagg AI: The camel: its evolution, 19. Smuts MMS, Bezuidenhout AJ: Anatomy of the ecology, behamor, and relationship to man, Chicago, 1981, dromedary, Oxford, England, 1987, Clarendon Press. University of Chicago Press. 20. Tibary A, Anouassi A: Theriogenology in Camelidae, Abu 13. Heucke J, Doerges B, Klingel H: Ecology of feral camels Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Veterinary Research Center, in central Australia. In Allen WR, Higgins AJ, Mayhew IG, Mina, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E, 1997, Abu Dhabi Printing and et al, editors: Proceedings of the First International Camel Publishing Company. Conference, Dubai, UAE, February 2-6, 1992, Newmarket, 21. Wernery U, Fowler ME: Color atlas of camelid hematology, England, 1992, R & W Publications. 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College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Box 1757, Al Asha, 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 1994. CHAPTER Giraffidae .Mitchell Bush BIOLOGY 8,14 pattern. The three races most commonly mentioned are Reticulated, Masai, and Rothschild giraffes. This family contains two genera, each of which contains one The secretive and solitary Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) was species, with historical fossil records throughout Africa during first described to the scientific world in 1901; the first captive the Miocene. Fossil records also show early member of this animal was displayed in Europe in 1918. Pieces of skin were family in Europe and Asia. sent to Harry Johnston in London in 1900; Johnston's name Giraffes intrigue humans, as evidenced by prehistoric cave is incorporated into the scientific name. The animal is a rich paintings of their likeness as early as 10,000 years ago to their chocolate-brown with white stripe on the legs and hindquarters. appearance in most zoological collections today. The giraffe The skin is very oily and contains a reddish brown pigment. first appeared in human records in Egypt about 2.5 centuries Currently, the okapi habitats are the equatorial rainforest of BC. The Egyptians thought the giraffe was a cross between northern, central, and eastern Democratic Republic of the a camel and leopard, hence the scientific name. Giraffe Congo, where they are protected, but they have suffered camilopardalis. The encroachment of man and climate changes during the civil strife in that country. have restricted the giraffe's current habitat to sub-Saharan Africa Even though the giraffe and okapi are in the same family, in arid to semi-arid savanna zones. They are currently found in enough difference in placentation appears to exist to preclude national parks and game farms in eastern and southern Africa, embryo transfer and hybridization. Evidence about the evolu- with small populations in northwest Africa. tion of the okapi suggests that it may be more closely related As the tallest animal, giraffes have access to vegetation to the nilgai antelope because of similar chromosome numbers, at heights not available to other species (2 to 5.5 m) and are placentation, and development of fetal gonads, whereas the reported to feed on at least 100 plant species. Their large size, giraffe is sometimes compared to the pronghorn antelope. keen eyesight, and good hearing also minimizes prédation in adults; however, 75% of the calves die in their first year (in comparison to 7% their second year). The long neck and size UNIQUE ANATOMY« "^-^ of the giraffe is thought to aid in the heat distribution in a hot climate because they rarely seek shade, do not wallow in water, The shared characteristics of this family include: (1) elongated and are reported to go without water for extended periods. necks; (2) long, dark prehensile tongues (in giraffes there are Giraffes are sociable animals that form loose female herds densely haired prehensile lips for protection against thorns); with adult males being solitary. Historically, nine subspecies (3) no gall bladder in most animals; (4) forelegs longer than (Table 61-1) will interbreed and produce fertile offspring. The the hind legs, with a resultant "pacing" gait, but when running, subdivision has been based on body size, location, and coat the front and rear legs move together with the rear legs placed 626 PARTV Mammal Groups Table 61-1 Biological Information for Giraffldae SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON WEIGHT GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTIFICATION BY THE NAME (ADULTS, kg) DISTRIBUTION SPOTS ON THE ANIMAL'S COAT Ciraffa camilopardalis Reticulated Males 850-1950 Northeast Kenya, Large, polygonal liver reticulata Giraffe Females 700-1200 Ethiopia, Somalia colored spots outlined by a network of bright white lines Ciraffa camilopardalis Masai Males 850-1950 Central and Southern Jagged-edge, vine-leaf shaped tippelskirchi Giraffe Females 700-1200 Kenya, Tanzania spots of dark brown on a yellowish background Ciraffa camilopardalis Rothchild or Males 850-1950 Uganda, western Dark brown blotched or rothschildi Baringo Females 700-1200 Kenya rectangular spots with poorly Giraffe defined cream lines Ciraffa camilopardalis Nubian Males 850-1950 Eastern Sudan, Large four-sided brown spots camelopardalis Giraffe Females 700-1200 Northeast Congo and off white background. No spots on inner legs or below hocks Ciraffa camilopardalis Kordofan Males 850-1950 West and southwest Small more irregular spots that antiquirum Giraffe Females 700-1200 Sudan do not cover inner leg Ciraffa camilopardalis Nigerian or Males 850-1950 Chad Numerous pale, yellowish peralta Chad Females 700-1200 red spots. Giraffe Ciraffa camilopardalis Cape Giraffe Males 850-1950 Southern Africa Rounded or blotched spots; giraffa or capenisi Females 700-1200 some have star like extensions on a tan background that extend to the hooves Ciraffa camilopardalis Angola Males 850-1950 Angola, Zambia Large spots with some notches angolensis Giraffe Females 700-1200 around the borders that extend to the hooves Ciraffa camilopardalis Thornicroft Males 850-1950 Eastern Zambia Star- or leaf-shaped spots that thornicrofti Giraffe Females 700-1200 extend to the lower leg Okapia Okapi 210-250 Democratic The oily coat isa rich johnstoni Republic of the chocolate-brown with striped Congo hindquarters and legs. between the front legs; (5) their coat pattern helps provide to discourage insects. Adult giraffes are 4.25 to 5.5 m tall and camouflage in their respective habitats. The okapi has larger weigh from 500 to 1950 kg, depending on the race and sex; ears, and the giraffe has large eyes located laterally, thus males are larger. Adult okapi are 1.5 to 1.75 m tall and weigh providing a good field of vision. from 210 to 250 kg with the females being larger. The giraffe's Skulls of this family contain large sinuses that are relatively hooves are extremely hard and flat to the ground, with the larger in the giraffe and are thought to minimize injury during fetlock almost touching the ground. The okapi's hooves are fighting. The giraffe's horns are unique in that they: (1) are more upright. No lateral digits exist in either species. present in both sexes; (2) appear at birth; and (3) are covered Despite its height and long neck, giraffes have seven cervical with skin and hair throughout life except for older males that vertebra (with one report of a modified eighth cervical vertebra). rub off the skin at the tip. Giraffe horns are more erect, Early anatomical studies of the larynx led to the belief that whereas the okapi's horns angle more posteriorly. The okapi giraffes were mute, but braying occurs in all age groups. Females horns occur only in males, are devoid of skin at the tip, and are roar and bellow. The okapi also have a repertoire of vocal sounds. not present at birth. The giraffe's head has a bony protuber- ance anterior to the horns and above the eyes (sometimes called the median horn), which is larger in males and like SPECIAL PHYSIOLOGV^ '" • s • ^ 23 other skull exostoses increase with age. Okapi are born with a mane that disappears with age. The giraffe's long neck has generated studies of respiratory The giraffids dental formula is 2X (1-0/3, C-0/1, P-3/3, dead space. Like most physiological studies of this species, these .M-3/3), with rugose molars that are low-crowned with rough studies are controversial. There are two theories: (1) the large enamel and lobed incisiform canines, which are different from dead space is overcome by slow deep respirations (8 to 10/min other mammals. The giraffids also have an elongated diastema. with a 4-liter tidal volume at rest) and a large lung capacity; Giraffes are unable to swim. Giraffes lack preorbital, and (2) the relatively small trachéal diameter helps minimize inguinal, and interdigital glands for marking their territories, water loss, and its dead space is within predicted values. whereas the okapi has interdigital glands. Giraffes lack Giraffids can alter their body temperature several degrees to cuticular muscles and therefore are unable to m<n-e the skin minimize water loss and help with heat regulation.