The Ultimate Giraffe Quiz

Image: Minden Pictures/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The giraffe is the tallest living animal and inhabits areas south of the Sahara. Take this quiz to learn more about these graceful, gentle creatures.

How many species of giraffe are there?

one

five

twelve

Where do giraffes live?

South America

Asia

Africa

What kind of terrain do giraffes prefer?

rocky slopes

open grassy plains

dense forests

Why do they prefer this kind of terrain?

The leaves of scattered trees are more succulent than those of forest trees.

The giraffe needs the prolonged exposure to sunlight.

The many trees in a forest would slow them down.

To what height do male giraffes grow?

15 feet (4.6 m)

18 feet (5.5 m)

21 feet (6.4 m)

How tall are female giraffes?

12 feet (3.7 m)

15 feet (4.6 m)

18 feet (5.5 m)

What does an adult male giraffe weigh?

1,800 pounds (818 kg)

2,200 pounds (1,000 kg)

2,600 pounds (1,182 kg)

How long is the giraffe's neck?

seven feet (2.1 m)

eight feet (2.4 m)

nine feet (2.7 m)

How many vertebrae in the giraffe's neck?

eleven

nine

seven

Which of the giraffes has horns?

only Masai male giraffes

both sexes

certain types of adult Transvaal giraffe

With such a long neck and long legs, how does the giraffe drink water?

spreads its front legs

kneels

neck is long enough

Just how long is the giraffe's tongue?

15 inches (38 cm)

18 inches (45 cm)

21 inches (53 cm)

What differentiates giraffes from other mammals?

young can stand within 20 minutes of birth

body temperature is not constant

their stomachs have five chambers

How long after mating does the female give birth?

450 days

380 days

300 days

How many different groups of patterns do giraffes' coats have?

Eight, representing the eight types of giraffes.

It is estimated there are about 70 patterns.

All patterns are different.

At what speed can giraffes run?

24 miles per hour (38 km/h)

29 miles per hour (47 km/h)

35 miles per hour (56 km/h)

What are the social habits of giraffes?

They live in herds.

Except for mating season they are usually alone.

They only group together when danger is present.

What is the life expectancy of a giraffe?

12 to 15 years

15 to 20 years

20 to 25 years

Until what age does a calf drink its mother's milk?

six or seven months

eight months

nine or 10 months

What does a calf weigh at birth?

150 pounds (68 kilograms)

120 pounds (55 kilograms)

90 pounds (41 kilograms)