A Big (and Tall) Welcome

Welcome Watoto! A new male giraffe arrived at Reid Park Zoo recently from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. You can tell him apart from the two females (Denver and Texas) by his markings, which are much lighter than the females'. Watoto turned two in August.

Feed a Giraffe:
You can have an opportunity to feed a giraffe at the Zoo! Giraffe feedings take place daily from 10:00-10:45. There is an additional feeding from 2:00-2:30 on weekends. The giraffe encounter costs $2 per person. Money raised at the giraffe feedings helps provide support for many conservation projects that help animals in the wild.

Giraffe Fun Facts

• Lions and crocodiles are natural predators of giraffe. Giraffe can protect themselves by kicking; one kick is hard enough to kill a lion!
• The giraffe is the tallest land mammal, reaching up to 18 feet tall.
• A giraffe has seven vertebrae in its neck, the same as you, although theirs are a lot bigger!!
• Giraffe can run up to 30 miles per hour.
• Giraffe are not endangered and have healthy populations throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa.
• Giraffe use their long, 18-inch prehensile tongue to reach and grab the leaves off branches.

Giraffe Zoo Facts

• In the wild, giraffe rarely lie down. However, here at the Zoo, the giraffe lie down frequently in their night house and yard, perhaps because they do not have predators in the Zoo.
• The Zoo feeds the giraffes alfalfa, oats and special dry food just for herbivores (plant eaters). Fruits and vegetables are also put in the hay as special treats.
• You may see a giraffe enjoying a popsicle the next time you are at the Zoo; their favorite "flavor" is green onion.