Giraffidae

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Giraffidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Giraffidae Gray, 1821
Species
Okapia johnstoni  Giraffa camelopardalis

The biological family Giraffidae contains just two living members, the giraffe and the okapi. Both are confined to sub-saharan Africa: the giraffe to the open savannas, and the okapi to the dense rainforest of the Congo. The two species look very different on first sight, but share a number of common features, including a long, dark-coloured tongue, lobed canine teeth, and horns covered in skin.

The closest relatives of the Giraffidae are the other members of the suborder Ruminantia, which include cattle, goats, sheep, and antelope.

Fossil records indicate that they first appeared in the early middle Miocene.

• ORDER ARTIODACTYLA
  • Suborder Suina: pigs, hippos and peccaries
  • Suborder Tylopoda: camels and llamas
  • Suborder Ruminantia
    • Family Tragulidae: chevrotains
    • Family Moschidae: musk deer
    • Family Cervidae: deer
    • Family Giraffidae
      • Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis
      • Okapi, Okapia johnstoni
    • Family Antilocapridae: Pronghorn
    • Family Bovidae: cattle, goats, sheep, and antelope

Giraffe

Skeleton of helladotherium, now extinct