The Angolan giraffe (''Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis'' or ''Giraffa giraffa angolensis''), also known as the Namibian giraffe, is a subspecies of

giraffe The giraffe is a large African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus ''Giraffa''. It is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on Earth. Traditionally, giraffes were thought to be one species, ''Giraffa camelopardalis ...

that is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, and western Zimbabwe.

Taxonomy

A 2009 genetic study on this subspecies suggests the northern Namib Desert and Etosha National Park populations each form a separate subspecies. However, genetic studies based on mitochondrial DNA do not support the division into two subspecies., but could identify giraffes in southern Zimbabwe as the Angolan giraffe, suggesting a further eastward distribution than expected.

Description

This subspecies has large brown blotches with edges that are either somewhat notched or have angular extensions. The spotting pattern extends throughout the legs but not the upper part of the face. The neck and rump patches tend to be fairly small. The subspecies also has a white ear patch.

Habitat

Home range size of Angolan giraffes was found to be larger in unproductive areas such as the Namib Desert and much smaller in more productive areas such as Lake Manyara National Park. However, that home range size could be affected by abiotic(e.g climate), biotic(e.g forage availability, predator densities) and human influence(e.g population growth)

Seasonal movement

As far as seasonal movements of giraffes were concerned, they were not as distinctive as those in other giraffe populations around the world. Male Giraffe moves longer than Female giraffe and also it has longer average daily movement (5.64km compared to 1.87km in 180 days during hot-dry season).

Foraged activity

Angolan Giraffe tends to forage into the mountain during the cold-dry and early hot-dry season. It mainly eats Commiphora for living.

Conservation

Approximately 13,000 animals are estimated to remain in the wild; and about 20 are kept in zoos. Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis (courting).jpg, Courting
Etosha National Park Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) male head composite.jpg, Male
Etosha National Park Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) female head.jpg, Female
Etosha National Park Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) female with young 2 months.jpg, Female with young 2 months

Chobe National Park Chobe National Park is Botswana's first national park, and also the most biologically diverse. Located in the north of the country, it is Botswana's third largest park, after Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Gemsbok National Park, and has one of ...

References

External links

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Angolan giraffe The Angolan giraffe (''Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis'' or ''Giraffa giraffa angolensis''), also known as the Namibian giraffe, is a subspecies of giraffe that is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, and western Zimbabwe. ...

Mammals of Southern Africa Mammals of Angola Mammals of Namibia Mammals of Zambia Mammals of Botswana Mammals of Zimbabwe

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