What is the tallest land animal?

The tallest land animal is the giraffe. Adult giraffes can reach about 5.8 metres from the ground to the top of the head, placing them well above every other living terrestrial animal.

A giraffe’s height comes mainly from its extremely long neck and legs. Despite its length, the neck contains only seven vertebrae—the same number found in most mammals, including humans. Each vertebra is greatly elongated. Giraffes also have a powerful heart and specialized blood vessels that help manage blood pressure when the animal lowers or raises its head.

The giraffe’s height is especially useful for browsing on leaves, particularly those of acacia trees, above the reach of many other herbivores. Its closest common mix-up is the elephant: elephants are much heavier and larger in bulk, but they are not as tall. “Giraffe” is the accepted general answer, although several giraffe species and populations can reach exceptional heights.