How Tall Are Giraffes?

Giraffes are the tallest land animals. Males (bulls) may exceed 5.5 meters (18 feet) in height, and females (cows) are about 4.5 meters (15 feet) tall. A bull’s height is comparable to a two-story building, while a cow is equivalent to about a one-and-a-half-story building. Despite being slightly shorter, female giraffes share the same adaptations as males, such as prehensile tongues and specialized neck muscles, which aid in their feeding habits. Giraffes grow to nearly their full height by four years of age. Their legs and necks are extremely long, with a comparatively shorter body.

The giraffe’s height is a critical adaptation for survival. Their long necks, supported by large muscles, and legs allow them to access food sources that are out of reach for other animals. They can browse foliage almost 6 meters (20 feet) from the ground. Additionally, their height provides a vantage point for spotting predators from a distance, enhancing their ability to stay safe in the wild. The giraffe’s unique cardiovascular system, with thick-walled arteries and specialized blood vessels, supports their tall stature by efficiently managing blood flow to the brain.