Nature ReachA leaf-eater with a long reach
Follow the giraffe towards the leaves
Giraffa spp.
A giraffe stretches towards a leafy branch. Its neck brings the food within reach, and a long, flexible tongue helps gather the leaves.
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Open landscapes with trees to browse
Giraffes live in African savannas and woodlands. This page covers the genus Giraffa, including East African giraffes such as the Masai giraffe, without assigning every giraffe in the app’s paintings to one species.
Finding food above the ground
Giraffes use their long necks to reach high leaves. Their tongues curl around branches to help pull leaves into their mouths.
Three things to notice
- A giraffe’s tongue can be nearly half a metre long.
- A giraffe has seven neck vertebrae, the same number as a human.
- To reach drinking water, a giraffe spreads its front legs and lowers its long neck.
Trees that provide a meal
Browsing acacia leaves
Giraffes eat leaves from acacia branches. Their long tongues help them gather leaves among the thorns.
Browsing sausage trees
Sausage tree leaves are another food giraffes can browse. Different trees contribute to a giraffe’s leafy diet.
Find the giraffe in Nature Reach
Open the free savanna map and look for a giraffe. Tap to hear its name and introduction, then discover the trees that provide its food.
Explore the savanna
Meet another species
Lion
Panthera leo
A lion resting under a tree gives us one glimpse of its day. Later, as daylight fades, the pride may become much more active.
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Zebra
Equus quagga
A zebra's coat is covered in stripes, but the pattern is its own. Look beyond the stripes to discover a life spent grazing and moving with other zebras.
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Umbrella thorn acacia
Vachellia spp.
Its spreading crown makes a patch of shade on a sunny plain. For animals, this tree can offer somewhere to rest or something to eat.
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Warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
A warthog may lower itself onto its front legs while feeding. A nearby burrow gives this busy forager somewhere to shelter.
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Wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
A herd may pause to graze, then move on as food changes with the seasons. In the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, this journey links many parts of the landscape.
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White-backed vulture
Gyps africanus
A vulture circling overhead is searching for food on the ground. Its meal comes from an animal that has already died.
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Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Notice the impala's curved horns and light-footed movements. Only males have those horns.
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Elephant
Loxodonta africana
An elephant can curl its trunk around a branch or lift water towards its mouth. The same flexible trunk is also its nose.
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Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
A pair of eyes, small ears and nostrils may be all you can see above the water. Much of the hippo’s body is resting beneath the surface.
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Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
A cheetah’s chase can begin with a careful approach. Then its long legs carry it across the grass in a sudden burst of speed.
Meet this speciesSources
- Giraffe species, Giraffe Conservation Foundation
- The giraffe’s tongue, Giraffe Conservation Foundation
- Giraffe anatomy and feeding, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Reviewed by Nature Reach on 17/10/2026.