290 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



On the whole, the young Giraffe resembles its parents more closely 

 than any other animal, the proportions being perfect at birth, so that, 

 with the exception of the recumbent horns, it might be mistaken for 

 a miniature model of the old ones. It is more swift and active than 

 these are, however. Most people know that Giraffes are purely 

 African animals ; they - have a wide range in Africa, but are only 

 found south of the Sahara, and in open, dry, thinly-forested country. 



They are sociable animals, and usually found in herds ; their food 

 consists of the leaves and twigs of various trees, their great height 

 adapting them better for browsing than any other animal. When 

 they wish to reach down to the ground, on the other hand, they 

 straddle in a very awkward way. They will drink water when it is 

 available, but can do quite well without any, so that they may be found 

 many miles away from any supply, a peculiarity which has stood 

 them in good stead in face of human persecution. Among other 

 animals their only enemy seems to be the Lion, which occasionally 

 pulls one down, especially when he has friends to assist him in the feat, 

 and catches the Giraffe alone. 



A herd of Giraffes are most difficult for any enemy to approach ; 

 their sight and scent are both good, and their great height gives them 

 an advantage in perceiving danger by either of these means which 

 other animals do not possess. Moreover, they are not by any means 

 easy to see in their natural surroundings, their mottled colouration 

 being inconspicuous among the trees on which they feed ; unless, as 

 not infrequently happens, they are browsing on scrub a good deal 

 lower than themselves. 



This colouration, it should be mentioned, varies a great deal locally, 

 so that several local races have been described ; it is sufficient to say 

 here that the Giraffe of the south of Africa has a yellowish ground- 

 colour with rather ill-defined brown spots, while in the northern 

 part of the animal's range it tends to become a dark-brown netted 

 over with a mesh-work of white lines ; while at the same time the 

 bony lump on the forehead, which is always present, develops into 

 what may be called a third horn. 



