The giraffe is the world’s tallest living land animal.
Adult giraffes commonly reach about 4.3–5.7 metres in height, with males usually taller than females. Their remarkable height comes mainly from long legs and an unusually elongated neck. Despite its length, a giraffe’s neck has seven cervical vertebrae, the same number found in most mammals, including humans.
Giraffes use their height to browse leaves beyond the reach of many other herbivores. Their prehensile tongues help them strip foliage, especially from acacia and other thorny trees. Special valves and strong blood vessels help manage blood flow when the animal lowers or raises its head.
A common misconception is that giraffes have more neck bones than other mammals. They do not; each neck vertebra is simply greatly elongated. Giraffe populations are divided into several recognised species and subspecies, with distinctive coat patterns that vary by region.