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The Masai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), also known as the Maasai Giraffe or Kilimanjaro Giraffe, is the largest subspecies of giraffe and the tallest land mammal. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania.

Description

The Masai Giraffe has jagged spots on its body. It also has a short tassel of hair on its tail. The bony outgrowths of the male's skull superficially provide the appearance of up to 5 ossicones. The dominant male's spots tend to be darker in colour than those of other members of its herd.

Two Masai Giraffes in Mikumi National Park

Adult males usually reach around 6 m in height—although they have been recorded at reaching heights of up to approximately 6.5 m—and females tend to be a bit shorter at around 5–5.5 m (16–18.0 ft) tall. Their legs and necks are both approximately 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long, and their heart has a mass of roughly 12 kg (26 lb).

Behaviour

There is no seasonal breeding season for the Masai Giraffe. Females can typically breed at 4. They give birth standing up. It takes 2–6 hours for a giraffe to give birth. About 50–75% of the calves die in their first few months due to predation. Even though many calves die, the mothers will stab predators such as hyenas or lions with their sharp hooves. This will critically injure or kill a predator quickly; the Masai Giraffe's kick is strong and will crush a lion's skull or shatter its spine.