Rhodesian giraffe

The Rhodesian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti), more commonly known as Thornicroft’s giraffe, is a subspecies of giraffe. It is sometimes deemed synonymous with the Luangwa giraffe. It is geographically isolated, occurring only in Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley.[1] An estimated 550 live in the wild, with no captive populations. The lifespan of the Rhodesian giraffe is 22 years for males and 28 years for females.[2] The ecotype was originally named after Harry Scott Thornicroft, a commissioner in what was then North-Western Rhodesia and later Northern Rhodesia.

Thornicroft's giraffe
Thornicroft's giraffe in Mfuwe, Zambia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Artiodactyla
Family:
Giraffidae
Genus:
Giraffa
Species:
camelopardalis
Range map in purple (in the south)
Synonyms

G. camelopardalis thornicrofti or G. tippelskirchi thornicrofti (Lydekker, 1911)

Description

Rhodesian giraffes are tall with very long necks.[3] They have long, dark-colored tongues and skin-colored horns.[4] Giraffes have a typical coat pattern, with regional differences among subspecies. The pattern consists of large, irregular shaped brown to black patches separated by white to yellow bands.[4] Male giraffes' coats darken with age, particularly the patches. The darkening of the coat has not been studied extensively enough to indicate absolute age, however it can estimate relative age of male Rhodesian giraffes.[2]

Range, distribution and habitat

Giraffes occur in arid and dry-savannah zones in sub-Saharan Africa, provided trees are available as a food source (IUCN). The Rhodesian giraffe is endemic to Zambia.[1] Giraffes are herd animals with an extremely flexible social system.[5]

Diet
The Rhodesian giraffe family browsing at the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Giraffes are exclusively browsers that primarily feed on leaves and shoots of trees and shrubs. Giraffes consume deciduous plants in the wet season and transition to evergreen and semi-evergreen species in the dry season. They choose flowers, fruits, and pods when they are available. They are true ruminants with fore stomach fermentation. Their food intake is approximately 2.1% of the body mass of females and 1.6% for males. They obtain their water through the foliage they consume, but drink regularly when water is available. Giraffes seek out acacia species when browsing. Their feeding stimulates shoot production of the species.[6]

Reproduction

The Rhodesian giraffes breed throughout the year. They reach sexual maturity at approximately six years, and then produce offspring approximately every 677 days. About half of all calves die before one year of age, due to predation. Giraffes can become pregnant while lactating, a very unusual characteristic.[7]

Conservation

Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti is endemic to Zambia with a population of less than 550. There are no Rhodesian giraffes in captivity. Ecotourism has played a vital role in conservation of all subspecies of giraffes, due to their popularity with tourists. Giraffes as a species are classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN, but their populations are rapidly declining, with some subspecies being listed as critically endangered[8] Their primary threats are poaching, human population growth, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and habitat degradation.[9]

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References
  1. Fennessy, Julian, et al. "Mitochondrial DNA analyses show that Zambia's South Luangwa Valley giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti) are genetically isolated." African Journal of Ecology 51.4 (2013): 635–640.
  2. Berry, P. S. M., and F. B. Bercovitch. "Darkening coat colour reveals life history and life expectancy of male Thornicroft's giraffes." Journal of Zoology 287.3 (2012): 157–160.
  3. Wilson, and Reeder. "Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti." Mammal Species of the World. Bucknell University, n.d. Web. 2 May 2014.
  4. Hassanin, Alexandre, et al. "Mitochondrial DNA variability in Giraffa camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and central Africa." Comptes Rendus Biologies 330.3 (2007): 265–274.
  5. Bercovitch, Fred B., and Philip SM Berry. "Ecological determinants of herd size in the Thornicroft’s giraffe of Zambia." African Journal of Ecology 48.4 (2010): 962-971.
  6. Owen-Smith, R. Norman. Megaherbivores: the influence of very large body size on ecology. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
  7. Bercovitch, Fred B., and Philip SM Berry. "Reproductive life history of Thornicroft’s giraffe in Zambia." African journal of ecology 48.2 (2010): 535–538.
  8. Fennessy, J. & Brown, D. 2010. Giraffa camelopardalis. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 May 2014.
  9. "Giraffe – The Facts”. Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
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