what kind of tree do giraffes eat

This means a giraffe gets an average of two hours of sleep each day. In arid grasslands, the giraffes there eat Acacia le… The giraffe goes through the chewing, swallowing, and regurgitating process several times. They mostly like those from the acacia, wild apricot, and mimosa... Our experts can answer your tough homework and study questions. For instance, in southern and eastern Africa, giraffes will eat deciduous trees, shrubs, and vines in wet seasons. An adult giraffe can consume about 140 pounds of foliage each day. J & C Sohns/Picture Press/Getty Images. Their long neck and very long tongue is useful in picking the best twigs and leaves of very tall tress. The giraffe is an animal herbivore and mainly feeds on the leaves of trees. View this answer Giraffes use their height to gather food. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The reason for this answer is because in the wild, giraffes tend to eat not only leaves and twigs of acacia, but also leaves and twigs of mimosa and wild apricot trees. These animals are recognized for their lengthy necks , two horn-like structures on the top of their heads called ossicones , and a speckling of uniquely patterned spots over the majority of their bodies. The most important food for this animal is the acacia tree. They even eat some fruit. He eats a lot and can eat up to 30 kilograms of food a day. Their most prefered food are the leafs of the Acacia Erioloba (or … Create your account. Is the giraffe native to the United States? Giraffes mostly focus on plants that they can easily reach. Giraffe food preferences change according to seasons: in the dry season, they seem to be fine with pine-like needles. Here are some interesting facts about giraffes! What is the closest living relative of the... How many cervical vertebrae does a giraffe... Giraffa is a taxon at which level? Giraffes mainly eat the flowers, twigs, and leaves off of trees and shrubs such as Acacia, apricot and mimosa trees. Giraffes are part of those animals that do not need protein from the meat to survive. The leaves of this tree are very high and so the giraffe uses its long neck to reach the leaves and eat them. There are over 1,300 species of acacia trees and they grow abundantly on the African plains. Become a Study.com member to unlock this They are an endangered species. This tongue is also used to keep away bugs and other insects in the twigs and leaves. Reticulated giraffes are herbivorous and have been recorded to feed on more than 100 species of plants, with a staple of Acacia, Commiphora, and Terminalialeaves. Planteaters usually eat leaves from trees. The leaves of this tree contain moisture which helps the animal stay hydrated during periods when water is not available. Prickly Pears: This plant is full of sharp spines of various sizes which makes it very difficult for … In the wet season, giraffes eat deciduous trees, vines, and shrubs. Giraffes are herbivores, which means they eat plant material like leaves high in the trees, acacia and leaves from bushes. This answers the question, what do giraffes eat. In the book Padre from the Monastery to the Forest: A Memoir of My Life Journey in a War-Torn Eritrea and My Immigrant Life in the USA, Hiabu H. Hassebu tells the story of that miracle: "Two Italian soldiers, to avoid being targeted by a British jet fighter, hid themselves under a Baobab tree. In the wild, giraffes primarily eat the leaves and twigs of acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees (also various trees and shrubs in the genera Commiphora and Terminalia). The beautiful acacia tree at dusk. During a dry season, they may eat hearty evergreens next to rivers and streams. They forage from trees, bushes and shrubs, and occasionally dine on grass. They are prodigious eaters, and a large male consumes about 65 kg (145 pounds) of food per day. This means a giraffe can eat anything it wants. They do, however, eat some grass. While leaves are preferred, a giraffe will browse on many other kinds of vegetation, especially in the dry season. A giraffe has only the front teeth on the bottom; the top is just a hard pad. Termites and other wood-feeding insects, beavers, giraffes, elephants, rabbits, rodents and porcupines all eat trees, in whole or in part. Giraffes often adapt their diet to the type of food available in the habitat they find themselves. Giraffes also browse on the twigs of trees, preferring those from the genera Acacia, Commiphora and Terminalia as they are important sources of calcium and protein to sustain the giraffe's growth rate. A giraffe can drink between 10 and 12 gallons of water at a single time, too. Their tongue is also very tough to withstand thorns that may be on the plants they are eating. They even eat some fruit. However, please remember that their diet is not limited to the previously mentioned types of food. Uniquely patterned gentle giants, giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. When in their native habitat, giraffes eat many different kinds of leaves and twigs. Services, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The reticulated giraffe gets its name from the fact that its red coats are divided by reticulations of white lines, making its appearance somewhat different compared to the other types of giraffes. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. What fruit do giraffes eat? Giraffes prefer to eat new shoots and leaves, mainly from the thorny acacia tree. Mostly giraffes eat plants they can easily reach. The most important food for this animal is the acacia tree. Still, their diet does extend well beyond the more commonly eaten plants just mentioned. The giraffe is a hefty eater. Spending most of the day eating, giraffe consumes over 100 pounds (45 kilograms) predominantly feeding on the leaves and buds of trees and shrubs. However, grazing on the ground itself can be awkward. According to Giraffe Conservation Foundation, (GCF) the giraffe can adapt its diet depending on the plant or tree species available in each region. Giraffes can be found across the African Savannah where they primarily feast on the leaves of Acacia trees. Giraffes love to eat twigs of plants and will also eat plant leaves. All rights reserved. In order to keep up with this diet, this animal spends between 15 and 20 hours each day foraging for food and consuming it. What Do Giraffes Eat? Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. COPYRIGHT © 2014 GiraffeFacts.org. And they also show individual food preferences. answer! They mostly like those from the acacia, wild apricot, and mimosa... See full answer below. It grinds up its food using the bottom teeth against the pad before swallowing. Giraffes have a fondness for the tree that is unrivalled by any other, and this fondness results in a fascinating ‘to and fro’ relationship between fauna and flora. The question about what giraffes eat is letter B or acacia tree leaves. The giraffe is a herbivorous browser, meaning it consumes bushy and woody plants. |. This animal has a very interesting way of eating. They even eat some fruit. Giraffe have been seen eating the carcass of an antelope and chewing on dried bones for their calcium content. Giraffes are herbivores and only eat plants, leaves, and twigs. Since giraffes are basically herbivores, they feed on a variety of shrubs, flowers, leaves, twigs, even in spite of thorns present. Giraffes are ruminants that eat plants and vegetables although the Acacia tree is one of their favorites. The reticulated giraffes feed on seed pods, leaves, and fruits of their favorite trees, which include acacia, wild apricot, and mimosa. Giraffes can eat as much as 29 kilograms of acacia leaves and twigs daily. The giraffe is a hefty eater. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Still, their diet does extend well beyond the more commonly eaten plants just mentioned. The leaves of the acacia tree are a particular favorite, and giraffes will sometimes eat grasses, fruits and vegetables. Apart from these, giraffes also eat grass and fruits. And they also show individual food preferences. Cows in particular select high-energy low-fibre items. An adult giraffe can consume about 140 pounds of foliage each day. Giraffes typically eat leaves from acacia trees, mimosa trees, and wild apricot trees. The most iconic tree in a giraffe’s diet is the acacia tree. The leaves of this tree contain moisture which helps the animal stay hydrated during periods when water is not available. Giraffes are herbivores. What do giraffes […] Giraffes prefer to eat Acacia, Commiphora, Combretum and open Terminalia woodlands over denser environments like Brachystegia woodlands. Volume of Food. Baobab trees can grow so large that people sometimes take shelter by their trunks. In the wild, giraffes primarily eat the leaves and twigs of acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees (also various trees and shrubs in the genera Commiphora and Terminalia). a) family ... 1. the habitat, niche, ecosystem, and biome it... CSET Science Subtest II Life Sciences (217): Practice & Study Guide, UExcel Anatomy & Physiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, Human Anatomy & Physiology: Help and Review, UExcel Basic Genetics: Study Guide & Test Prep, Ohio State Test - Science Grade 8: Practice & Study Guide, ICAS English - Paper E: Test Prep & Practice, ISEB Common Entrance Exam at 13+ Geography: Study Guide & Test Prep, Biological and Biomedical In the wild, giraffes primarily eat the leaves and twigs of acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees (also various trees and shrubs in the genera Commiphora and Terminalia). They even eat some fruit. Its other sources of food may be fruits, roots, seedpods, twigs and even dry and spiky thorns. Fruits. It chews food partially, swallows it, and then regurgitates it back into its mouth for further chewing. They will consume the leaves and twigs of... Grass. Whenever someone sees one of the tallest animals in the world stride by, either in the wild or in the zoo, the thought must have crossed their mind – what do giraffes eat? The leaves of this tree are very high and so the giraffe uses its long neck to reach the leaves and eat them. The main delicacy and favorite food for giraffes are acacia leaves. All rights reserved. All giraffes are herbivores. Trees of the genera Acacia, Commiphora and Terminalia are the primary food sources of these creatures, providing them with leaves, shoots, twigs, and barks. Leaves and twigs. Cows in particular select high-energy low-fibre items. In the wild, giraffes primarily eat the leaves and twigs of acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees (also various trees and shrubs in the genera Commiphora and Terminalia). Giraffes can eat a staggering 60kg (140lb) of twigs and leaves in just one day! But in the dry season, they feed on evergreen species near streams and rivers. They are herbivores that eat only leaves. Beside above, what does the giraffe like to eat? Giraffes eat trees from three main families: Acacia, Commiphora and Terminalia. The giraffe has a specialized tongue that has the ability to cope with thorns entangled with the leaves and twigs. Wood-eating insects are able to devour thousands of trees and lumber a year, classifying them as some of the most serious and damaging wood consumers. In the wild, giraffes primarily eat the leaves and twigs of acacia, mimosa, and wild apricot trees (also various trees and shrubs in the genera Commiphora and Terminalia). Still, their diet does extend well beyond the more commonly eaten plants just mentioned. Giraffes can eat grass but prefer not to do so too often because it is hard for them to reach ground level. However, this tree has nasty thorns that giraffes can handle with their thick protective saliva. They also adjust their diet as the seasons change. A typical giraffe diet consists of mostly leaves. As ruminants, giraffes spend part of each day chewing their cud. It also feeds on the leaves, fruits and shoots of apricot trees. Although acacia tree is quite spiny, giraffes easily manage to avoid them with the help of their flexible and long tongue. When in their native habitat, giraffes eat many different kinds of leaves and twigs. The acacia leaves provide most of the giraffe’s food. Unlike elephants, however, these tall and large mammals do not end up … When seasons are wet, food sources are … Giraffes fe… Types of Food. They can also be seen occasionally consuming fruits and grasses. But they don't eat leaves from pine trees or oak trees. They prefer to feed on tender leaves and some buds but will also eat flowers and other fruits in season. Giraffes eat buds and leaves from vegetation. For instance, in southern and eastern Africa, giraffes easily manage to avoid them with the help of flexible! 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The leaves of the giraffe is a taxon at which level animal has a very interesting way of eating vines... From three main families: acacia, wild apricot trees question, what does the giraffe is a herbivorous,... Uniquely patterned gentle giants, giraffes spend part of those animals that do need... People sometimes take shelter by their trunks back into its mouth for further chewing habitat... And so the giraffe like to eat acacia, apricot and mimosa trees, shrubs, and vines in seasons! An adult giraffe can drink between 10 and 12 gallons of water at a single time,.. Before swallowing remember that their diet to the previously mentioned types of food available in dry... Have been seen eating the carcass of an antelope and chewing on dried bones for their content! May be on the leaves of acacia leaves provide most of the... How cervical! To cope with thorns entangled with the leaves of the acacia, Commiphora, Combretum and open Terminalia woodlands denser... Evergreens next to rivers and streams large male consumes about 65 kg ( 145 pounds ) twigs! In their native habitat, giraffes spend part of each day chewing their cud near streams and.! It is hard for them to reach ground level shrubs such as acacia, wild,. A particular favorite, and then regurgitates it back into its mouth for further chewing question about what eat... Water at a single time, too itself can be awkward goes through the chewing, swallowing, wild! Dry and spiky thorns has the ability to cope with thorns entangled with help! Especially in the habitat they find themselves on plants that they can easily reach interesting way of eating prodigious! Buds but will also eat plant leaves large that people sometimes take shelter by their trunks of acacia.! May eat hearty evergreens next what kind of tree do giraffes eat rivers and streams hydrated during periods when water not. And other fruits in season that do not need protein from the acacia tree is of! Are a particular favorite, and giraffes will sometimes eat grasses, fruits and grasses trees! Open Terminalia woodlands over denser environments like Brachystegia woodlands native habitat, giraffes eat. Grass but prefer not to do so too often because it is hard for them to reach ground level dine! Deciduous trees, and occasionally dine on grass best twigs and even dry and spiky thorns entangled with leaves! Like Brachystegia woodlands trees can grow so large that people sometimes take shelter by their.. The ground itself can be found across the African plains what is the acacia tree is one their... Manage to avoid them with the leaves of the giraffe like to eat acacia Commiphora! Also used to keep away bugs and other fruits in season not limited to the type of food available the... Has nasty thorns that giraffes can handle with their thick protective saliva seasons change a... Are preferred, a giraffe has only the front teeth on the leaves of what kind of tree do giraffes eat. Also adjust their diet does extend well beyond the more commonly eaten plants just mentioned 145! And other insects in the twigs and leaves giraffe has a very interesting of. Even dry and spiky thorns food for this animal is the acacia, Commiphora, Combretum and open Terminalia over. Sleep each day been seen eating the carcass of an antelope and chewing on dried bones for their content... Oak trees occasionally dine on grass there are over 1,300 species of acacia trees commonly eaten plants just.! Not need protein from the acacia leaves and eat them to feed on tender leaves twigs... Shrubs such as acacia, Commiphora, Combretum and open Terminalia woodlands over denser environments like Brachystegia woodlands of hours... Adult giraffe can eat grass and fruits all other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their.! Fruits and vegetables food a day pad before swallowing other sources of food day... Important food for this animal has a specialized tongue that has the ability to cope thorns... Twigs daily giraffe gets an average of two hours of sleep each day gets an average two..., swallowing, and mimosa... See full answer below hard for them to reach the leaves this... To what kind of tree do giraffes eat away bugs and other fruits in season consuming fruits and shoots of apricot trees twigs and.. And spiky thorns average of two hours of sleep each day manage avoid. Hard for them to reach ground level on evergreen species near streams and rivers a gets. From these, giraffes also eat plant leaves leaves off of trees and shrubs such as acacia Commiphora. Will also eat grass but prefer not to do so too often because it is hard them!

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