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Masai Giraffe – Taxonomy, Conversation & More

Madenge

October 25, 2022

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Masai Giraffe Facts – Taxonomy, Conversation and More

Table of Contents

The Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi or Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchir ), sometimes known as the Kilimanjaro giraffe, and may be spelled as Maasai giraffe is a giraffe subspecies or species. It’s a species that’s native to East Africa.

Masai Giraffe Range – Where Does the Masai Giraffe Live?

The Masai giraffe is located in Kenya’s central and southern regions, as well as Tanzania. Its hooves have prominent, uneven, jagged, star-like markings. Bulls often have a midline forehead bump.

In the beginning Masai giraffes were found across the whole continent of Africa, but due to disruption of Masai giraffe habitat and destruction of forests, they are now only found in the two countries mentioned above, plus Somalia and Ethiopia.

From this perspective, for those who were still wondering “where do masai giraffes live” now you have got a starting point on the locations where these animals can be found.

Is the Masai Giraffe Endangered?

Unfortunately the answer to the popular question “are Masai giraffes endangered? is YES. These giraffes are considered endangered because of their rate of population decline in the past 30 years, which is approximately 50%. This is an alarming drop for any species population.

The Masai Giraffe Taxonomy

There is just one species of giraffe recognized by the IUCN, with 9 subspecies.

The Maasai giraffe was first described and given the scientific name Giraffa tippelskirchi by German biologist Paul Matschie in 1898, but it is now known as Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi according to current taxonomy. Herr von Tippelskirch, a participant of a German scientific excursion in German East Africa to what became northern Tanzania in 1896, was given the Maasai giraffe’s name. Tippelskirch returned from near Lake Eyasi with the skin of a female Maasai giraffe, which was eventually recognized as Giraffa tippelskirchi. Alternative taxonomic ideas suggest that the Maasai giraffe is a separate species.

Description of Masai Giraffes

Masai Giraffe Adaptations

Masai Giraffe diet consists of different types of leaves in combination with pieces of other vegetation including but not limited to wild apricots, acacia trees and mimosa.

Masai Giraffe Lifespan

The giraffes live between 10 – 15 years

Masai Giraffe Features

Masai Giraffe pattern – Every individual giraffe has its own unique pattern, which usually resembles leaves of an oak tree.
Masai Giraffe weight – these giraffes can way all the way up to 2,600 pounds.
Masai Giraffe height – from 6 feet at birth all the way up to 17 feet as fully grown

The Masai giraffe is identified by its jagged markings on its body, as well as its geographic distribution, which includes all of Tanzania and Kenya, and genetic data.

It has the biggest body of any giraffe species, making it the world’s tallest land mammal.

Masai Giraffe Conservation Status

The IUCN classifies Masai giraffes as endangered, and the Maasai giraffe population has decreased by 52 percent in recent decades owing to hunting and habitat destruction. In the wild, the total number of Maasai giraffes is estimated to be about 32,550. Poor adult survival beyond protected areas owing to poaching and low calf survival within protected areas due to predators are the key factors on population growth rates, according to epidemiological data of wild giraffes living within and beyond protected areas. The birth season and the seasonal absence or presence of long-distance migrating herds of zebra and wildebeest have an impact on the survival of giraffe calves. Protected areas were shown to be critical for preserving giraffes in the greater environment, according to metapopulation research. Several government agencies, including Zambia Wildlife Authority, Tanzania National Parks, and Kenya Wildlife Service, as well as non-governmental groups, such as Wild Nature Institute and PAMS Foundation, are working to conserve Maasai giraffes in the wild. Masai Giraffes have also been demonstrated to benefit from community-based wildlife protection zones. Maasai giraffe cows have been impregnated and given birth in a number of zoos.

Masai Giraffe Fun Facts and Frequently Asked Questions

Masai giraffe population – It is estimated that there are only about 35,000 of these giraffes today remaining in their natural habitat.

Masai giraffe scientific name – Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti and Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi

Masai giraffe vs reticulated – The comparison of Reticulated giraffe vs Masai giraffe indicates that there is a very small difference. Starting with the darkness which Masai giraffe has, is more than Reticulated giraffes. In terms of patches, Masai giraffe has random patches with brown lines that are very light and going all the way down to its legs. Meanwhile, the Reticulated giraffe has orange brown patches divided by white lines that are bright and bold.