Rothschild's giraffe
Rothschild's giraffe | |
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A male Rothschild's giraffe at Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Giraffidae |
Genus: | Giraffa |
Species: | G. camelopardalis |
Subspecies: | G. c. rothschildi
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Trinomial name | |
Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi Lydekker, 1903
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Rothschild's giraffe's range in light green | |
Synonyms | |
G.c. rothschildi (Lydekker, 1903) |
Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) is a subspecies of the Northern giraffe. It is one of the most endangered distinct populations of giraffe, with 1,399 mature individuals estimated in the wild in 2018.[1]
Taxonomy and evolutionary history
The
Characteristics
The Rothschild's giraffe is easily distinguishable from other subspecies. The most obvious sign is in the coloring of the coat or pelt. Whereas the reticulated giraffe has very clearly defined dark patches with bright-whitish channels between them, Rothschild's giraffe more closely resembles the Masai giraffe. However, when compared to the Masai giraffe, the Rothschild's ecotype is paler, the orange-brown patches are less jagged and sharp in shape, and the connective channel is of a creamier hue compared to that seen on the reticulated giraffe. In addition, Rothschild's giraffe displays no markings on the lower leg, giving it the impression of wearing white stockings.[2]
Another distinguishing feature of Rothschild's giraffe, although harder to spot, is the number of ossicones on the head. This is the only Giraffa phenotype to be born with five ossicones. Two of these are the larger and more obvious ones at the top of the head, which are common to all giraffes. The third ossicone can often be seen in the center of the giraffe's forehead, and the other two are behind each ear.[6] They are also taller than many other populations, measuring up to 5.88 metres (19.3 feet) tall.[7][8] They can weigh up to 2,500 pounds.[9]
Males are larger than females by a few hundred pounds[9] and their two largest ossicones are usually bald from sparring. They usually tend to be darker in colour than the females, although this is not a guaranteed sexing indicator.
The meat of the Rothschild giraffe is supposedly very sweet and its bones contain a specific type of fat that traditional cultures use as medicinal components.[10]
Habitat and distribution
Isolated populations of Rothschild's giraffes live in
Ecology and behavior
Rothschild's giraffes mate at any time of the year and have a
Threats and conservation
As of 2018, Rothschild's giraffe is classified as
Two dwarf giraffes standing only 9.5 feet (2.9 m) tall have been spotted in Murchison Falls National Park. Scientists speculate their dwarfism may have been caused by inbreeding due to species decline.[15]
Three Rothschild's giraffes were electrocuted by low-hanging power lines in Soysambu conservancy in Nakuru, Kenya.[16]
In captivity
Various captive breeding programmes are in place – notably at the
References
- ^ a b c Fennessy, S., Fennessy, J., Muller, Z., Brown, M. & Marais, A. (2018). Rothschild’s Giraffe.The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- ^ a b Reed, Christopher (11 October 2005). "Obituary - Betty Leslie-Melville". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
- ^ Odada, Eric O. "Lake Baringo" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- PMID 18154651.
- PMID 28222287.
- ^ "Giraffes will be translocated to Lake Mburo National Park". www.ugandawildlife.org. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ Dagg, A.I.; Foster, J. B. (1982). The Giraffe. Its Biology, Behavior, and Ecology (with updated supplementary material). Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company.
- ^ Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Vol. 1. Baltimore, USA and London, UK: The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 1086–1089.
- ^ a b c "Rothschild Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) - Giraffe Facts and Information". Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Saving the endangered Rothschild giraffe – DW – 06/19/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "Rothschild's Giraffe Joins List of Species Threatened by Extinction | African Wildlife Foundation". www.awf.org. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ "Rothschild Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) - Giraffe Facts and Information". Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ "Lake Nakuru National Park". UNESCO. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "National Parks & Safaris". Uganda Tourist Board. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
- ^ Freeman, Colin. "Secret life of dwarf giraffes uncovered in Africa". news.yahoo.com. The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "Kenya: Endangered giraffes killed by low power lines". BBC News. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ International Species Information System (2011). Giraffa camelopardalis. Version 12 January 2011.
External links
- Media related to Rothschild's giraffes at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi at Wikispecies