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West African Giraffes

Written and Illustrated by 

Melissa Cuza and 

Ms. Lob's Kindergarten class

You've seen a giraffe in the zoo, but do you 

know about the West African giraffe? The West 

African Giraffe is one of the nine types of 

giraffes known to man. The gentle animals will 

take you through a journey to learn everything 

you need to know about them from A to Z. 

The West African Giraffe as its name says is found 

in Africa. They are also known as Nigerian giraffes 

because most are found in Nigeria. 

The West African Giraffe, like its name says is found 

in Africa. It is also known as the Nigerian giraffe 

because most are found in Nigeria. 

Giraffes are known for their 

big, long necks. They use 

them to reach for food 

where other animals can't. 

West African Giraffes have different color 

spots. Male giraffes are known for changing 

from light brown to dark brown as they get 

older.

West African Giraffes live in a variety of habitats 

such as deserts, the savannas and areas of 

dense forest. They live anywhere that has food 

and water. 

These giraffes will live in a place for a little bit 

and move on to a new place to find more food 

and water. They don't eat everything in one 

place so more trees and plants can grow. 

In the future, the giraffes could go back to 

these areas for more food. Anywhere with 

plants can be a temporary habitat for them.

The West African Giraffe has unique spots, like 

human fingerprints. No two giraffes have the 

same spot pattern. 

Even their horns are different. Males have long, 

thick, bald horns while the females have small, 

thin hairy horns like knobs. 

Giraffes are very interactive animals, they could 

have about 15 members in their herd.

West African Giraffes don't 

just interact with each 

other, they interact with 

other animals such as 

birds, zebras and 

wildebeest. 

Giraffes keep each other safe by warning each 

other of danger. Other animals feel safe around 

giraffes.

As kind as the West African Giraffe can be, the males 

can become aggressive when fighting for 

leadership in their herd. 

The males will also fight for mates in their herd.

They fight by swinging 

their necks in a process 

called "necking." Their 

fights will only last for a 

few minutes until one 

walks away. 

Giraffes have a 

close relationship 

with birds called 

oxpeckers 

which eat the 

ticks off the 

giraffes fur. This 

takes care of 

them very well. 

The West African 

Giraffe has to worry 

about predators. 

Their main 

predators are lions, 

but baby giraffes, 

or calves, have to 

worry about being 

hunted by leopards, 

spotted hyenas, 

African wild dogs, 

and crocodiles. 

Giraffes are believed to be quiet animals, but 

they actually communicate through snorting 

and moaning sounds. This is how they warn 

other animals of potential danger.

When giraffes 

need to escape a 

predator they can 

run as fast as 35 

miles per hour, 

but can only run 

for short periods 

of time. 

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