Male Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) foraging for food. In Botswana we encountered the “Southern Giraffe” (Giraffa giraffa), which has been proposed as a separate and distinct species. Apparently the powers that be officially recognize only one species of giraffe with 9 subspecies. DNA testing has suggested at least 8 other species, based partly on the fact that the different types don’t interbreed even when they share territory. Southern Giraffes (aka “Two-horned...
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Male Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) foraging for food. In Botswana we encountered the “Southern Giraffe” (Giraffa giraffa), which has been proposed as a separate and distinct species. Apparently the powers that be officially recognize only one species of giraffe with 9 subspecies. DNA testing has suggested at least 8 other species, based partly on the fact that the different types don’t interbreed even when they share territory. Southern Giraffes (aka “Two-horned Giraffes”) have rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.
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