AnAge entry for Giraffa camelopardalis

Classification (HAGRID: 02046)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Artiodactyla
                Family: Giraffidae
                    Genus: Giraffa
Species
Giraffa camelopardalis
Common name
Giraffe

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
39.5 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 671
Sample size
Large
Data quality
High
Observations

There are anecdotal reports of giraffes living over 40 years. One wild born specimen was about 39.5 years when it died in captivity [0671]. Tooth wear has been suggested to have a significant deleterious impact in captivity [0827].

Female members of this species have been shown to live longer lives when they produce more offspring [1351].

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
1,278 days
Male sexual maturity
1,644 days
Gestation
457 days
Weaning
Litter size
1 (viviparous)
Litters per year
0.5
Inter-litter interval
620 days
Weight at birth
58,500 g
Weight at weaning
Adult weight
800,000 g
Postnatal growth rate
Maximum longevity residual
100%

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
310ºK or 37.1ºC or 98.8ºF
Basal metabolic rate
Not yet available

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 625036
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 9894
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Internet
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