Nubian giraffe

Nubian giraffe
Nubian giraffes at Al Ain Zoo, United Arab Emirates.[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species: G. camelopardalis
Subspecies: G. c. camelopardalis
Trinomial name
Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Range map in lime green

The Nubian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis) is a North African subspecies of giraffe native to Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan. It is currently extinct in the wild of Egypt and Eritrea. The Nubian giraffe used to be widespread everywhere on Northeast Africa. The total population was estimated to 650 Nubian giraffes.[2] The species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

Physical description

The Nubian giraffe has sharply defined chestnut-colored spots surrounded by mostly white lines, while undersides lack spotting. The median lump is particularly developed in the male giraffe.[3]

Habitat population

Giraffes occurred everywhere in Africa; the Nubian giraffe was widespread throughout North Africa, from South Sudan to Egypt. The giraffe lives in savannahs and woodlands. The Nubian giraffe currently lives in eastern South Sudan and southwestern Ethiopia. It was estimated that fewer than 250 live in the wild, although this number is uncertain.[4] However, as of 2014, it was recently estimated that 650 Nubian giraffes live in the wild.[2]

In captivity

The Nubian giraffe is rare in captivity. Although, the Al Ain Zoo from the United Arab Emirates is the only known zoo outside of Africa to be breeding the endangered species.[5][6] The Nubian giraffe is also breeding in captivity in Giza Zoo from Egypt.

References

  1. ↑ "Nubian Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis" (PDF). 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 Jordan Carlton Schaul (17 June 2014). "Safeguarding Giraffe Populations From Extinction in East Africa". nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Seymour, R. (2002) The taxonomic status of the giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis (L. 1758), PH.D Thesis
  4. ↑ "Giraffe – The Facts: Current giraffe status?". Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  5. ↑ "Exhibits". Al Ain Zoo. 25 February 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  6. ↑ "Nubian giraffe born in Al Ain zoo". UAE Interact. Retrieved 21 December 2010.

External links

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