The giraffe is indigenous to Africa and lives in herds in Savannah and open bush country south of the Sahara Desert. The giraffe was one of the first animals to be transported from their natural habitat to zoos around the world. The female looks after the children and when there is large amount of babies, one female giraffe may look after all the young. It feeds primarily on acacia leaves. Giraffes are so tall that they have no competition for this food source.
Giraffes also eat flowers, vines and herbs.
15-20 hours a day is spent foraging consuming up to 140 lbs of vegetation per day. They are ruminants with a 4-chambered stomach, regurgitating and chewing a cud similar to cows. Giraffe tongues are pink or black. Giraffes consume many thorns and seem to prefer this food. Giraffes drink water if it is available but can go weeks without it.