giraffe

Everyday

A giraffe is a very tall African animal with a very long neck, long legs and a coat with brown patches. It is the tallest animal on land. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on adaptation the giraffe's long neck helps it reach leaves high in trees; it has a long dark tongue. In stories and zoos it is a favourite animal. Phrases: «a tall giraffe», «a baby giraffe (a calf)», «a herd/tower of giraffes».

Examples

• The giraffe ate leaves from the top of the tree. tree →
• A giraffe is the tallest animal on land. tree →
• Giraffes have very long, dark tongues. tree →
• Each giraffe has its own pattern of patches. tree →
• A baby giraffe is called a calf. tree →
• Giraffes sleep for only a short time each day. tree →
• A giraffe has seven bones in its neck, just like we do. tree →
• The things that were missed were nothing much at first--a few little elephants, a hippopotamus or two, and some giraffes, and things like that. tree →

Note

Spelling: one «r», double «f»: g-i-r-a-f-f-e. Pronounced «juh-RAF». A group is a «tower» or «herd». Surprising fact: its neck has the same number of bones as a human's: seven.