Reticulated Giraffe
Giraffa reticulata
A striking giraffe with large polygonal patches divided by bright white network lines.
| Scientific name | Giraffa reticulata |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Twiga wa Somali |
| Conservation status | Endangered |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Giraffidae |
| Size | Males can reach up to 5.5 m tall and 1300 kg; females somewhat shorter |
How to identify
Large, regular deep orange-brown polygonal patches separated by crisp, sharply defined white network lines, giving a high-contrast pattern
Habitat
Semi-arid savanna, dry scrub and acacia woodland
Diet
A browser feeding mainly on the leaves, shoots and pods of acacia and other trees
When it is active
Diurnal, spending much of the day feeding
Where it lives
Mainly northern Kenya (Samburu, Laikipia) plus southern Ethiopia and Somalia
How to spot it
Look for it in northern Kenyan reserves such as Samburu; the bold polygonal network pattern is the best identification feature
Photography tips
Side light enhances the depth of the polygonal patches and the sharpness of the network lines; a dry scrub background makes the pattern stand out
Threats
Habitat loss, poaching, drought and regional instability driving steep population declines
Similar species
Masai giraffe (jagged, irregular patches); northern giraffe (paler patches with smoother edges)
