Giraffes hold the record as the tallest land animals on Earth. Adult males often grow between 16 and 18 feet (about 4.8–5.5 meters), while females usually stand around 14 to 16 feet (4.3–4.8 meters). Their extraordinary height comes mostly from long legs and necks that give them a view above the savanna and access to food high in the trees.
This incredible size makes giraffes one of the most recognizable animals on Earth, but it has not protected them from decline. Today, organizations like Save Giraffes Now are working across Africa to ensure these giants continue to stand tall in the wild.
Key Takeaways
- Giraffes are the tallest land animals on Earth.
- Adult males usually reach 16–18 feet (4.8–5.5 meters), while females grow to 14–16 feet (4.3–4.8 meters).
- Newborn calves stand around 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall at birth.
- Height varies slightly by species, with Masai and Southern giraffes among the tallest.
- Their size helps them feed from treetops, spot predators, and compete in dominance battles.
- A male giraffe can grow as tall as a two-story building.
- Despite their height, giraffes face serious threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
- Save Giraffes Now is working to protect, rescue, and reintroduce giraffes to secure their future in the wild. Donate now to make this a success.
Male vs Female Giraffe Height
Giraffes show clear differences in height between males and females. Adult males are the largest, usually standing between 16 and 18 feet (4.8–5.5 meters) tall. Females are slightly smaller, reaching about 14 to 16 feet (4.3–4.8 meters).
These differences go beyond size. Males use their extra height and weight during dominance battles, swinging their long necks in a behavior called “necking” to compete for mates. Females, though smaller, are still taller than most animals on the savanna, which helps them spot predators and protect their calves.
How Tall Are Baby Giraffes?
A newborn giraffe is already taller than most humans. Calves usually measure around 6 feet (1.8 meters) at birth and weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. Within the first year, they grow rapidly, adding several feet to their height as they begin to browse on leaves alongside their mothers.
Being tall from the start helps calves survive. Their extra height allows them to reach food earlier than most young animals, and it gives them a better view of their surroundings. Still, calves are vulnerable in their early months, which is why they stay close to their mothers and rely on the protection of the herd.
Height Differences by Species
Not all giraffes reach the same height. Each species and subspecies has slight variations in size, though all of them remain the tallest animals on land.
| Species / Subspecies | Average Male Height | Average Female Height |
| Masai giraffe | 16–18 ft (4.8–5.5 m) | 14–16 ft (4.3–4.8 m) |
| Northern giraffe | 15–18 ft (4.6–5.5 m) | 14–15 ft (4.3–4.6 m) |
| Reticulated giraffe | 15–17 ft (4.6–5.2 m) | 14–15 ft (4.3–4.6 m) |
| Southern giraffe | 15–18 ft (4.6–5.5 m) | 14–16 ft (4.3–4.8 m) |
How Does Height Help Giraffes Survive?
A giraffe’s height is key to survival. Their long necks and legs allow them to reach food that few other animals can access. While zebras and antelopes graze on grass, giraffes feed high in the treetops, giving them a reliable food source even when the ground vegetation is scarce.
Height also gives giraffes a wide view of their surroundings. From above the savanna, they can spot predators like lions from far away, buying time to move to safety. This advantage is especially important for protecting calves, which stay close to their mothers in the shelter of the herd.
Males use their height and long necks in competition. During “necking,” they swing their heads and necks against each other to establish dominance and win the right to mate. In these battles, extra height and weight often decide the outcome.
Giraffes Compared to Other Animals (and Humans)
To appreciate just how tall giraffes are, it helps to compare them with other familiar animals. The African elephant, often considered the largest land animal, reaches about 10 to 13 feet at the shoulder, still several feet shorter than a full-grown giraffe. Horses stand at around 5 to 6 feet tall, while most humans average 5 to 6 feet as well.
A male giraffe at 18 feet is about the height of a two-story building. Even newborn calves, at 6 feet tall, are already eye-level with most adult humans. This scale makes giraffes not only the tallest animals on Earth but also one of the most striking to see in the wild.
The Tallest Animal on Earth is on the Verge of Extinction
Being the tallest land animal has not kept giraffes safe from decline. In the past three decades, their population has dropped by nearly 40 percent. Habitat loss, poaching, and human expansion are shrinking the spaces where giraffes can feed and raise their young. Even the tallest animals on Earth are vulnerable when the trees they depend on disappear.
Save Giraffes Now is working to change this reality. Across Africa, the organization supports efforts to rescue giraffes in danger, reintroduce them into protected areas, and partner with local communities to secure safe habitats. These actions give giraffes the space and resources they need to survive, proving that conservation can reverse the decline.
Help Us Save and Preserve the Tallest Animal on Earth
Save Giraffes Now is committed to saving these beautiful animals from extinction by rescuing giraffes in danger, reintroducing them into safe reserves, and working with communities to protect vital habitats. The organization is giving giraffes a fighting chance. These efforts have already helped stabilize populations in some areas, showing that recovery is possible when action is taken.
Every donation provides resources for rangers, supports reintroduction projects, and ensures that giraffes have safe places to feed and grow. With your help, these gentle giants can continue to stand tall in the wild for generations to come. Donate now and join the mission to save the tallest animal on Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is the tallest giraffe?
The tallest giraffe ever recorded was named Forest, living in Australia. He measured just over 19 feet (5.7 meters), making him the tallest known giraffe in the world.
Do giraffes have 4 stomachs?
Yes. Like cows, giraffes are ruminants, which means they have four stomach chambers. This system helps them digest tough plant material like leaves and bark.
How tall is a giraffe in feet?
Adult giraffes usually range between 14 and 18 feet tall. Males average 16–18 feet, while females average 14–16 feet.
How tall is a giraffe when born?
A newborn giraffe, called a calf, stands about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall at birth. That means they are already taller than most adult humans on the day they are born.