Niger giraffe, Nigerian giraffe
The West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) is a subspecies of the giraffe distinguished by its light-colored spots, which is found in the Sahel regions of West Africa. In the 19th century, it ranged from Senegal to Lake Chad, yet in 2011 this subspecies only survives in a few isolated pockets. It is the most endangered subspecies within Giraffa. All captive so-called "West African giraffe" are now known to be the Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum).
West African giraffes have a lighter pelage (fur) than other subspecies, with red lobe-shaped blotches that reach below the hocks. The ossicones are more erect than in other subspecies and males have well-developed median lumps.
West African giraffes are found in the Sahel of West Africa. They perform seasonal migration between the relatively drought-resistant lowlands of the Niger River valley and the drier highlands near Kouré. In this area, Tiger bush habitat allows bands of trees to thrive in climates which might otherwise become more typical desert.
Little is known about the behavior of West African giraffes. Generally, giraffes are usually found in groups that vary in size and composition. These groups are usually sex-segregated although mixed-sex groups made of adult females and young males also occur. Young males also form groups and engage in playfights. However, as they get older, males become more solitary but may also associate in pairs or with female groups. Like all giraffes, they are not territorial, but they have home ranges that vary according to rainfall and proximity to human settlements. Males occasionally roam far from areas that they normally frequent. Male giraffes use their necks as weapons in combat, a behavior known as "necking". Necking is used to establish dominance and males that win necking bouts have greater reproductive success. Giraffes browse during the first and last hours of the daytime. Between these hours, giraffes mostly stand and ruminate. Rumination is the dominant activity during the night when it is mostly done lying down.
West African giraffes are herbivores (folivores). They eat primarily leaves from Acacia albida and douma palm (Hyphaene thebaica), as well as other tress and flowerin plants.
Giraffes are polygynous, meaning that males mate with multiple females. Usually, males engage in combats, after which the winner gets right to mate with receptive females whenever and wherever it finds them. Normally, the gestation period lasts 13-15 months, yielding a single baby, rarely - twins. The female gives birth in a calving area, which she further uses throughout her life. A newborn calf can walk in just an hour after birth and can run within 24 hours after birth.
The main threats to giraffes include illegal hunting and poaching; these animals attract hunters for their meat, skin, and tail. Another concern is the loss of their natural habitat due to human activities.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the West African giraffe is 607 individuals or approximately 425 mature individuals. Currently, this subspecies is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are increasing.
Giraffes have a great effect on the trees that they feed on, delaying the growth of young trees for some years and giving "waistlines" to too tall trees. In addition, when spotting a predator, they can serve as a warning system for other nearby animals.
