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Giraffe

(Giraffa camelopardalis)

The Detroit Zoo is home to five giraffes: females Zara and Kivuli, and males Mpenzi, Jabari and Nguvu, a young adult who arrived at the Zoo in May 2026. Giraffes are the tallest land mammals on Earth, recognized for their long legs and necks, narrow faces and fur-covered horns called ossicones that sit atop their heads.

On Habitat

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Quick Facts

Habitat: African Grasslands

Class: Mammals

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Size: Up to 18 feet tall

Weight: Up to 2,600 pounds

Median life expectancy: 15 years

Diet: Mostly acacia tree leaves, along with other leaves and shoots