3 Kenyan Giraffes You Could See On Safari

3 Kenyan Giraffes You Could See On Safari : Did you discover that there are three distinct kinds of giraffes in Kenya? I always believe that all giraffes were identical, but it turns out that there are over seven distinctive subspecies throughout the world. Although they all usually appear the same, with long legs and necks, there are a few subtle differences. This is a quick overview of each. Plan and prepare a Kenya safari with Focus East Africa Tours and have a wonderful sight of all the three magnificent giraffe species you will not regret. Below is a list of the 3 Kenyan Giraffes You Could See On Safari

1 Reticulated Giraffe.

More Reticulated Giraffes can be found in Kenya’s north. The most prevalent is the Reticulated Giraffe. Approximately 9,000 individuals exist in the wild worldwide. The horn of Africa is home to several of these giraffes. The northern region of Kenya is home to a larger population. Referred to as the Somali Giraffe, this subspecies has a specific coat pattern compared to the other two. These can be spotted in Marsabit National Park

Coat Pattern.
The coat pattern of the reticulated giraffe is composed of nearly trapezoid-shaped patches of rich red or brown. Then, these areas are surrounded by strong, distinct white or cream lines. They have dark brown knees. Compared to their upper body, the dark brown blotches on their legs below the knees appear more dispersed.

Physical Characteristics.
Male reticulated bulls can grow to a height of eighteen feet. That is about three times the height of an average tall man. They usually use the tiny horns on top of their heads for play and fighting. Reticulated giraffes can run up to 56 km per hour, which is quite fast.

Habitat and Diet.
Like all other Kenyan giraffes, the reticulated subspecies live in woodlands. They take pleasure in acacia tree foraging. They have complete control over the tallest branches and leaves thanks to their lengthy necks. These animals are incredibly resilient; they may go for weeks without consuming any water.

Biology.
The lengthy 15-month gestation period of reticulated giraffes finishes with the birth of a single calf. Standing erect, the mother giraffe gives birth. After that, mothers zealously tend to their calves for the first few months before reintegrating them into the herd. It is possible for Kenyan giraffes of the reticulated giraffe subspecies to successfully interbreed.

2 Maasai Giraffe.
Maasai giraffe is the most massive among the Kenyan giraffes. They reside in the central and southern regions of Kenya. The Maasai giraffes have the highest mortality rates of all the Kenyan giraffes. These can be spotted in Nairobi national park

Coat Pattern.
Maasai giraffe, in contrast to the reticulated giraffe, has uneven brown pots that resemble puzzle pieces or oak leaves. Unlike the reticulated subspecies, the boundaries between these dots are less distinct. Nevertheless, the markings extend to their ankles, just like on reticulated giraffes.

Physical Characteristics.
With this height, the Maasai giraffe becomes the tallest earthly animal in the world. On their foreheads, some male Maasai giraffes have a noticeable hump. At the top of their heads are two ossicones, which are tiny horns covered in skin, present on both male and female animals.

Habitat and Diet.
Maasai giraffes are common in savannah woodlands. Their tongues are eighteen inches long, and they like to eat from towering acacia trees. They do, however, also consume bark, twigs, and flowers during their 16–20 hour feeding cycle. The Maasai subspecies of giraffes in Kenya, like other Kenyan subspecies, obtain their water from fresh vegetables and can go for weeks without drinking.

Biology.
The reproductive process for Maasai giraffes involves a 15-month gestation period for single calves. Predation, however, claims the lives of over 70% of these calves within their first year of life. All of the calves in the herd stay together and receive grooming from the young and adult female Maasai giraffes in their babysitting groups. They live for thirty to forty years on average.

3 Rothschild’s Giraffe.
The Rothschild’s giraffe, so called in honour of renowned naturalist Lionel Walter Rothschild, is the final species of giraffe found in Kenya. It is pervasive throughout the nation’s Rift Valley. Baringo County is home to the majority of Rothschild’s giraffes, hence the moniker Baringo Giraffe. These subspecies can also be found at Crater Lake and Lake Nakuru National Park.

Coat Pattern.
If one does not have sharp eyes, it is easy to mistake the Rothschild’s giraffe for the Maasai giraffe. They do, yet, differ greatly in a few key ways. First off, in comparison to Maasai giraffes, Rothschild’s markings are significantly darker, larger, and less jagged. The demarcation lines are more prominent and have a yellow to cream tint, in contrast to the white found in reticulated giraffes. Apart from all this, the main distinction between Maasai and Rothschild giraffes is their limbs. There are no spots on the Rothschild’s giraffe from the knee down. They are described as having cream socks by some people.

Physical Characteristics.
The Rothschild’s giraffe is notably taller as well. Some males achieve the 19-foot mark. Compared to the other two Kenyan giraffes, Rothschild’s seems to have five small horns at the apex of their heads. The reality is that they have two like all others and the other three are lumps formed from calcium accumulations. They also possess an acute and potent sense of smell.

Habitat and Diet.
Of all the giraffes in Kenya, the Rothschild’s giraffe is arguably the best protected. Rather than in the wild, they are primarily found in parks and other protected locations. There are only about 1500 individuals in the wild thanks to poaching, predation and interbreeding. They are widespread in the Kenyan counties of Baringo and Nakuru. They reside in several areas of Uganda as well. Like all giraffes, they feed on acacia and other thickets. They also exhibit outstanding animal tolerance.

Biology.
Rothschild giraffes, male and female, coexist in distinct herds and only come together for breeding season. Their gestation period can go to 16 months with the birth of a single calf. The mother giraffe is extremely protective of its calf for the first year. She uses soft, nonverbal teaching techniques throughout this time. Up to 50% of Rothschild’s calves die during their lifetime.

In summary, The above article entails a list of the 3 Kenyan Giraffes You Could See On Safari