This is Patches, a reticulated giraffe. Reticulated giraffes live in the grasslands of East Africa. Giraffes normally weigh 1000-2000 pounds. Males can be up to 18 feet tall and females up to 15 feet. In addition, a giraffe has a very long tongue - 12 inches (the length of a ruler) or more in length.
Diet
Giraffes eat alfalfa, fruit, vegetables, and hay.
Did you know?
At birth, baby giraffes weigh about 130 pounds and are about six feet tall. The baby is able to stand up on its own 30-60 minutes after being born and can usually run with the herd the next day.
Unlike humans, giraffes sleep for about 5 minutes at a time and total only about 20 minutes of sleep each day.
Information provided by the Knoxville Zoo. Photo by Stacy Lester.