Average Height of Giraffes

Average Height of Giraffes: A Detailed Breakdown  

Giraffes are the tallest land animals on Earth, with their height varying by age, sex, and subspecies. Here’s a comprehensive look:

---

# 1. Height by Sex  

| Category  | Height Range (Feet) | Height Range (Meters) |  

|-----------|-------------------|-------------------|  

| Adult Males | 16–20 ft | 4.8–6 m |  

| Adult Females | 14–16 ft | 4.2–4.8 m |  

| Newborn Calves | ~6 ft | ~1.8 m |  

- Why are males taller? Sexual selection—dominant bulls use height to compete for mates.  

- Newborns are already as tall as many humans (but grow rapidly!).  

---

# 2. Subspecies Variations  

Different giraffe subspecies have slight height differences:  

1. Masai Giraffe (*G. tippelskirchi*) – Tallest (up to 19 ft / 5.8 m).  

2. Reticulated Giraffe (*G. reticulata*) – 16–18 ft (4.8–5.5 m).  

3. Southern Giraffe (*G. giraffa*) – 15–17 ft (4.5–5.2 m).  

---

# 3. How Height is Measured  

- To the head: Standard measurement (excluding ossicones).  

- To the horns: Adds ~3–5 inches (ossicones are bone-like protrusions).  

---

# 4. Why So Tall? Evolutionary Advantages  

- Food access: Reach high branches (especially acacia trees).  

- Predator avoidance: Spot lions from afar.  

- Mate competition: Males use "necking" battles (swinging necks to establish dominance).  

---

# 5. Record-Holding Giraffes  

- Tallest recorded: ~19.3 ft (5.88 m) – "George" (1950s, UK).  

- Wild giraffes rarely exceed 18 ft due to survival trade-offs.  

---

# 6. Growth Timeline  

- Birth: ~6 ft tall.  

- 1 year old: ~10 ft (grows ~1 inch/week).  

- Adult height: Reached by 4–6 years.  

---

# 7. Height vs. Other Animals  

- Elephants: 10–13 ft (giraffes are nearly twice as tall).  

- Humans: A giraffe’s leg (~6 ft) is taller than most people!  

---

Fun Fact: A giraffe’s blood pressure is 2× a human’s to pump blood up its long neck!