Reticulated Giraffe

Can you SPOT the difference?

There are four species of giraffes? You can tell the difference species by their spots.

The four species of giraffes are the Masai, Southern, Northern and reticulated giraffe. All four giraffe species and their subspecies live in geographically distinct areas throughout Africa. The Chattanooga Zoo has four male giraffes; George, Hardee Star, and Kuzco are reticulated giraffes. Porter is a mixed species of reticulated and Nubian subspecies and a darker color than the other three giraffes.

Giraffes are the tallest land animal standing up to 18 feet tall. Their long necks combined with their keen vision, allow them to easily spot danger coming such as a lion. They act as an early warning signal in the savanna. Once a giraffe starts to run, everyone else does too.

The coat patterns allow them to camouflage among the thorny brush and trees. Every giraffe has a unique set of spots similar to that of a fingerprint. Their spots also help them to keep cool. A large blood vessel surrounds each spot which feeds into smaller vessels running under the patch allowing body heat to be released.

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Can I feed a giraffe at the Zoo?

YES - You can feed one of our four male giraffes for a small fee. Click here to learn more.

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How giraffes are being helped in the wild

Today, it is estimated that only approximately 117,000 giraffe remain in the wild. In the 1980's, the total number of giraffes in Africa was estimated to be more than 155,000. Their decline is mostly due to their habitat being taken for other purposes such as human population growth, and war. They are also declining due to poaching.

Organizations, such as the Giraffe Conservation Fund are helping giraffes in a number of different ways--protecting lands, protecting giraffes, and working with the local communities and partners to conserve this important animal.

How you can help giraffes

• Donate or volunteer at organizations like World Wildlife Fund and Giraffe Conservation Fund which work with local communities to protect giraffe habitat and ban the hunting and poaching of them.
  
  
• Symbolically Adopt a giraffe at Chattanooga Zoo. 100% of proceeds from each adoption package support animal care, education programs and wildlife conservation for endangered and threatened species. As an animal adopter, you play an important role in supporting the Zoo and our mission of understanding wildlife by creating connections between people and animals.
  
  
• Volunteer at Chattanooga Zoo. As a volunteer you can talk with our Zoo guests about the Zoo's giraffes and share their information in hopes to foster an awareness and appreciation to help conserve all giraffes in the wild.
  
  
• Don't buy any products made from animal fur, skin, bones, or organs. By purchasing these items you are helping to create a demand for these products.
  
  
• Chattanooga Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP) for giraffes. The mission of an SSP program is to cooperatively manage threatened or endangered species populations within managed-care facilities. By supporting Chattanooga Zoo, you are our partner in saving and protecting giraffes in the wild.