The first thing we are going to do is know the etymological origin of the term giraffe. In this case, we have to establish that it is a word that derives from Arabic, specifically it emanates from the noun “zarafa” which can be translated as “light creature.”
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world. It is a ruminant and artiodactyl mammal that can reach five meters in height thanks to its extensive neck.
Native to Africa , the giraffe - whose scientific name is Giraffa camelopardalis - has its body covered in light fur with dark spots. On its head it has two small horns, which are covered with skin.
The giraffe is a herbivorous animal: it eats leaves, grass and fruits. Thanks to its neck, it can access food that is not available to the rest of the herbivorous species.
Forests , grasslands and African savannahs constitute the habitat of the giraffe, which has the lion, leopard and hyena among its predators. Man usually hunts giraffes either to use their skin and meat or as a trophy. They are also captured to confine them to captivity.
Other interesting facts about the giraffe are the following:
-Its weight ranges between approximately 750 and 1,600 kilos.
-In Europe, the first giraffe that set foot on that continent came from the hands of Julius Caesar, as he took it there from Egypt. At that moment, the Romans were stupefied by this animal, which they did not hesitate to call “cameleopard.” And they considered that, due to its colors and shape, it was a perfect mix between a camel and a leopard.
-There are different subspecies of giraffes, among which we can highlight some such as the West African giraffe, which is native to Nigeria; the Kordofan giraffe, which is native to northern Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the Nubian giraffe, found in Ethiopia for example, and the Rothschild giraffe, found in Kenya and Uganda.
-The gestation of a female giraffe lasts between 400 and 460 days.
-Giraffes that are found living in the wild are established to have a life expectancy of approximately 25 years.
-The most famous giraffe in the world goes by the name Sophie and is a natural rubber toy that is used by babies as a teether.
By analogy with this mammal, in colloquial language the individual who is thin and very tall is usually called a giraffe. For example: “On the rival team there is a giraffe that will surely be very difficult to defend,” “Hey, giraffe, pick on someone your size,” “When I was little they called me a giraffe and they used to make fun of me.”
In the field of television and cinema , finally, the mechanism used to move a camera or a microphone is called a giraffe. The giraffes allow these devices to be moved at height , satisfying the various needs that may arise during filming, recording or broadcasting.