ARE GIRAFFES FRIENDLY? UNDERSTANDING GIRAFFE BEHAVIOR AROUND HUMANS ON SAFARI
A giraffe eating off the tops of the trees, with a bird perched on its forehead / Image: crystal-mcclernon
When it comes to wild animals, most people would choose to stand face to face with a giraffe rather than a lion. But the real question is, are giraffes friendly? They appear to be peaceful characters, as well as approachable, but like any wild animal, it's essential to know how to act around them as well as always keeping your distance, to avoid disturbing them.
Although it's highly unlikely that a giraffe will attack, it’s important to understand their behavior so you can recognize when they’re calm versus when they’re agitated. We’ll discuss everything in detail here in this article to prepare you for your upcoming safari.
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A lone giraffe saunters across a dirt track in Saadani National Park in Tanzania / Image: andrew-kayani
What Type of Creatures Are Giraffes?
Giraffes are tall, friendly giants that are known for their long necks and spotted golden coats. Many assume that giraffes belong to another species, but they actually have their own, which is called the 'Giraffa Camelopardalis,' that splits into four subspecies in Africa. These include Reticulated, Masai, Northern, and Southern.
Even though African giraffes are made up of four subspecies, only one of them can be found in Tanzania, the Masai giraffe. It's estimated that the country has around 28,850 of them, but surprisingly they're an endangered species. While this figure may seem abundant for a single country, around 31,000 were estimated in 1986, so that figure has decreased drastically over the years.
How Giraffes Interact With Each Other
When you think of all the most notable wild animals, you often think of the noises they make, like the roars of a lion or the sounds of elephants trumpeting. However, you never hear of a giraffe making any noises, so that raises the question, 'How do they communicate with each other?'
Rather than using vocal sounds, they use what's called non-verbal communication in various ways, like moving their necks and adjusting their posture. There are times when they can use little sounds to notify others, a prime example of this is when male giraffes cough to catch the attention of other female giraffes throughout mating season. Sometimes they'll also snort to alert others that there's a threat posed to them, to make it clear that there might be some danger in the area.
A group of giraffes on the Serengeti plains with a safari vehicle nearby watching them / Image: magdalena-kula
How Do Giraffes Interact With Humans?
The way giraffes interact with each other is a world away from how they engage with humans. While they may appear calm and gentle within a wildlife park, the experience is very different in the open plains and wilds of Africa.
Animals in the wild, including giraffes, aren't used to seeing humans regularly, so they can be unpredictable. Giraffes might appear to be one of the calmer species, but that doesn't mean they'll welcome you into their space. In fact, it's known that giraffes can become defensive so it's always advisable to keep a safe distance.
Giraffes that have been raised in captivity whilst being cared for by humans are accustomed to human interactions regularly, especially by their keepers, so they tend to perceive humans in a friendly light as that’s the only contact they've ever known. In contrast, a giraffe in natural surroundings rarely encounters humans, so it's likely to be wary or defensive when it does.
Staying Safe Around Giraffes
If you encounter giraffes on your next safari, here is how to ensure your safety as well as theirs:
Keep Your Distance
It's a good idea to always keep your distance when observing giraffes. Giraffes are usually calm creatures, however when they feel wary or threatened they can reach up to 60 km/h, kick or swing their necks, it's always best to allow them their space and admire them from afar.
Don’t Make Noise
Understandably, seeing a giraffe for the first time is exciting, but it's important not to make any noise, or they could feel wary. Whenever a giraffe is fearful, they can be unpredictable and are more likely to react.
Avoid Feeding Them
At a local wildlife sanctuary, you might see a small container of food by the giraffe enclosure so you can feed them. But out in the wild, the environment isn't controlled. You should never try to approach a giraffe, it could frighten them and cause a unsafe reaction.
Listen to Your Guide at All Times
Fortunately, in most places where you might see a giraffe in Tanzania, you’ll be accompanied by a licensed guide, who is experienced in dealing with interactions. So if you see a giraffe and your guide gives you instructions, it's advisable to listen. They’re trained for exactly these types of situations. Ignoring their advice could put you at risk.
Stay Away From their Calves
Like most animal species, giraffes are very protective of their calves. They don’t care whether you’re a predator or a human, if they see you getting too close to their young, they won’t hesitate to defend them. While their babies may look charming, it’s best to avoid them.
A mother giraffe and her young walking through the open grasslands in Tanzania / Image: yoni-kozminski
Where to See Giraffes in Tanzania
As we've already mentioned, Tanzania has a huge population of giraffes, and these are great spots to see them.
Where to See Giraffes in Africa
If you are planning on traveling to Africa to see giraffes - here are the places offering the best spotting opportunities on the continent, excluding Tanzania.
Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Ethosha National Park, Namibia
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Akagera National Park, Rwanda
A young giraffe sticking its head above the tall grasses looking ahead / Image: leon-pauleikhoff
What’s The Verdict - Are Giraffes Friendly?
You're probably still wondering, 'Are giraffes friendly?' from our breakdown, because, realistically, this is more complex than just giving you a yes or no answer.
As far as animals go, giraffes are friendly. There are several reasons for this. First, they tend to be more peaceful than other animals because they are herbivores, meaning they source their food from trees and plants rather than hunting for it. Giraffes usually travel together as a protective group. By being in a pack, there are enough of them to protect one another in case a predator, such as a lion, were to attack. Due to their defensive nature, they're more gentle than aggressive.
So, in short, giraffes are friendly creatures, as long as you give them the space they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Giraffes Friendly to Humans?
Giraffes tend to be friendly to humans, but you shouldn't approach them in the bush, since they are wild and could kick, run towards you or swing their necks. If they perceive you as a threat, always make sure you're positioned far away.
How Smart Are Giraffes?
It was once assumed that because giraffes had small brains, they lacked a solid level of intelligence. But recent studies have shown that giraffes have a strong ability to reason statistically, and they're the first animals with a brain of their size to be able to do so.
How Can I Tell if a Giraffe Is Feeling Threatened?
Determining whether a giraffe is threatened may be tricky unless you're a behavioral expert. However, one clear warning sign to listen for is hissing or snorting. This indicates the giraffe feels unsafe, which also means you could be at risk. Stay alert and act responsibly.
What’s the Safest Way to See Giraffes in Their Natural Habitat?
Anyone who wants to see giraffes in their natural habitat safely should travel with a licensed safari operator. A professional will understand giraffe behavior and will know the right places to see them in nature without causing any disturbance.
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