Examine individual changes

'<ref></ref>{{refimprove|date=September 2014}} {{Taxobox | name = Maasai giraffe | image = Female Giraffe Mikumi National Park.jpg | image_caption = Adult female, Mikumi National Park, Tanzania | status = CD | status_system = IUCN2.3 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Artiodactyla]] | familia = [[Giraffidae]] | genus = ''[[Giraffa]]'' | species = ''[[Giraffa camelopardalis|G. camelopardalis]]'' | subspecies = '''''G. c. tippelskirchi''''' | trinomial = ''Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi'' | trinomial_authority = Matschie, 1898 | range_map = Giraffa camelopardalis distribution.svg | range_map_caption = Maasai Giraffe range in olive-green | synonyms }} The '''Masai giraffe''', also spelled '''Maasai giraffe''', or the '''Kilimanjaro giraffe''' (''Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi''), is the largest [[subspecies]] of [[giraffe]] and the tallest land mammal. It is found in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]]. ==Description== The Masai giraffe has jagged spots on its body. It also has a short tassel of hair on its tail. The bony outgrowths of the male's skull superficially provide the appearance of up to five ossicones. The dominant male's spots tend to be darker in colour than those of other members of its herd. Adult males usually reach around 5.5&nbsp;m in height—although they have been recorded at reaching heights of up to 6&nbsp;m—and females tend to be a bit shorter at around {{convert|5|-|5.5|m|abbr=on}} tall. Their legs and necks are both about {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} long, and their heart has a mass of roughly {{convert|12|kg|abbr=on}}. ==Behaviour== No breeding season is noted for the Masai giraffe. Females typically can breed from the age of 4. They give birth standing up. Giraffes give birth after 2–6 hours of labor. About 50–75% of the calves die in their first few months due to [[predation]]. Though many calves die, the mothers stab predators such as [[hyena]]s or [[lion]]s with their sharp [[hoof|hooves]]. This can critically injure or kill a predator quickly; the Masai giraffe's kick is strong and is capable of crushing a lion's skull or shattering its spine. ==Conservation== Masai giraffes at the [[Santa Barbara Zoo]] have become pregnant and successfully given birth. They are considered genetically valuable, and they are shared with other zoos.<ref>Gregory, Kim Lamb (May 10, 2014) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/2014/may/10/mothers-nature-in-the-animal-world/ "Mothers' nature in the animal world"] ''[[Ventura County Star]]''</ref> ==Gallery== <gallery> File:Masai Giraffe, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (2010).jpg|Masai giraffe in [[Serengeti National Park]], Tanzania File:Maasai Giraffe 07.JPG|Detail of head, taken at [[Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden]] File:Giraffes Mikumi National Park.jpg|Two Masai giraffes in [[Mikumi National Park]] </gallery> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi|Masai Giraffes}} * {{wikispecies-inline|Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi|''Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi''}} [[Category:Giraffes]] [[Category:Mammals of Kenya]] [[Category:Mammals of Tanzania]]'