giraffe
The giraffes have two horn-like protuberances known as ossicones on their foreheads. The northern giraffe's are longer and larger than that of the southern giraffes', though male northern giraffes have a third cylindrical ossicone in the center of the head just above the eyes which are from 3 to 5 inches long.
The nominate subspecies of the Northern giraffe, is found in eastern South Sudan and south-western Ethiopia.[10] It has sharply defined chestnut-coloured spots surrounded by mostly white lines, while undersides lack spotting. The median lump is particularly developed in the male.[11]:51 Around 2,150 are thought to remain in the wild, of which 1,500 are of the Rothschildecotype.[7] It is one of the most common types of giraffe in captivity, although the original phenotype is rare- a group is kept at Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates.[12] In 2003, this group numbered
The Kordofan giraffe is a subspecies of the Northern giraffe (G. cameleopardis) and has a population of 2,000 in a distribution which includes southern Chad, the Central African Republic, northern Cameroon, and north-eastern DR Congo.[7] Populations in Cameroon were formerly included in G. c. peralta, but this was incorrect.[14] Compared to the Nubian giraffe, this subspecies has smaller and more irregular spotting patterns. Its spots may be found below the hocks and the insides of the legs. A median lump is present in males.[11]:51–52 Considerable confusion has existed over the status of this subspecies and G. c. peralta in zoos. In 2007, all alleged G. c. peralta in European zoos were shown to be, in fact, G. c. antiquorum.[14] With this correction, about 65 are kept in zoos.[15] The formerly recognised subspecies G. c. congoesis is now considered part of Kordofan subspecies.
The Kordofan giraffe is a subspecies of the Northern giraffe (G. cameleopardis) and has a population of 2,000 in a distribution which includes southern Chad, the Central African Republic, northern Cameroon, and north-eastern DR Congo.[7] Populations in Cameroon were formerly included in G. c. peralta, but this was incorrect.[14] Compared to the Nubian giraffe, this subspecies has smaller and more irregular spotting patterns. Its spots may be found below the hocks and the insides of the legs. A median lump is present in males.[11]:51–52 Considerable confusion has existed over the status of this subspecies and G. c. peralta in zoos. In 2007, all alleged G. c. peralta in European zoos were shown to be, in fact, G. c. antiquorum.[14] With this correction, about 65 are kept in zoos.[15] The formerly recognised subspecies G. c. congoesis is now considered part of Kordofan subspecies.
The Rothschild's giraffe is a former subspecies of the conglomerate Giraffa species, but it is now considered an ecotypeof the Northern giraffe (Giraffa camleopardis). Its range includes parts of Uganda and Kenya.[2] Its presence in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo is uncertain.[16] This giraffe has large dark patches that usually have complete margins, but may also have sharp edges. The dark spots may also have paler radiating lines or streaks within them. Spotting does not often reach below the hocks and almost never to the hooves. This ecotype may also develop five "horns".[11]:53 Around 1500 are believed to remain in the wild,[7] and more than 450 are kept in zoos.[15] According to genetic analysis circa September 2016, it is conspecific with the Nubian giraffe. (G. c. camelopardalis)
The West African giraffe is a subspecies of the Northern giraffe (G. cameleopardis) endemic to south-western Niger.[2] This animal has a lighter pelage than other subspecies,[18]:322 with red lobe-shaped blotches that reach below the hocks. The ossicones are more erect than in other subspecies and males have well-developed median lumps.[11]:52–53 It is the most endangered subspecies with fewer than 400 individuals remaining in the wild.[7] Giraffes in Cameroon were formerly believed to belong to this subspecies, but are actually G. c. antiquorum.[14] This error resulted in some confusion over its status in zoos, but in 2007, it was established that all "G. c. peralta" kept in European zoos actually are G. c. antiquorum.
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