Part 2
Giraffe
Swahili  Name:  Twiga
Species:  Giraffa camelopardalis
Lifespan:  25 years
 Weight:  3000 lbs (1400kg)
Serengeti
The giraffe is an elegant animal.  Up to 18 feet tall (6m), they can feed on the ground or high up in the tree tops.

The species name camelopardalis came from an early belief that the giraffe was a cross between a camel and a leopard.  The subspecies found here in Tanzania is the Masai, or Kilimanjaro giraffe.

This is exactly the same photo as above, but zoomed in a bit so you can see details of their spot patterns.
Each giraffe has it's own very unique pattern of spots.  Their antlers are just stubs, and they have long tails with a tufted end, useful for swatting away those ever-present tsetse flies.
Despite their very long necks, giraffe quite handily can graze on the ground and drink water.  They have to splay their front legs outward, and valves in their carotid artery close-off to prevent a rush of blood to the head, which would be fatal.
Giraffes frequently hang out in small groups or families.  The one on the right is a young one, with presumably, it's mother.  They also groom each other and sometimes entwine their necks.

You can see in the photo below to the left, the front legs are partially splayed in preparation for grazing on the ground.

Giraffe tend to walk with their heads bobbing up and down.
Giraffe are a bit of a funny-looking animal.  Elegant on one hand, comical on the other.  They have a cute look about them, long eyelashes, stubby horns, and almost a smirk.
And a few final shots of some Serengeti giraffes, as it leans over to snack on an acacia tree.
And close-up detail on same fellow shows you some pretty good detail on the lips as it chews its food.
Grant's Gazelle
Swahili  Name:  Swala Granti
Species:  Gazella granti
Lifespan:  12 years
Weight:  100-140 lbs (45-65 kg)
Serengeti
Grant's Gazelle are similar to Thomson's Gazelle, but have different markings.

They loosely associate in herds, where a single male will try to keep a few dozen female's for mating.  Other males are challenged.  This long Grant's Gazelle is probably a male, though younger males do form bachelor herds.

For Hippos and more, click to continue, below:



Tanzania