CHAPTER XXV
baby giraffes
I HAD long desired to meet a baby giraffe, but it seemed that the gratification of that wish was going to be a long, long way off. Giraffes are so rare in captivity, one is fortunate even to see a full grown specimen; but a baby in captivity is almost as rare as the famous Kohinoor diamond.
My lucky day came when I received a letter from Barnum and Bailey's circus, inviting me to call and get acquainted with the new baby giraffe. It is hardly necessary to add that I cancelled all engagements, donned my hat and coat in double quick time and started for the menagerie of "The greatest show on earth."
Julia, the splendid Nubian giraffe, was serenely exhibiting her treasure.
He lay on a bed of clean straw—a handsome bundle of spots. With a little encouragement, he rose and wabbled around, using his hooves gingerly.
His neck was not very long. The neck does not lengthen to any great extent until the animal enters his second year. This little fellow was four feet high at birth. His pretty body was pale yellow, nicely flecked with dark brown spots.
The eyes were lustrous and inquiring, and the ears good sized for the little head. Altogether he was one of the most interesting creatures it had been my good fortune to meet, and very lively for one so young. He walked when he was two hours old. I became a daily visitor at the menagerie. Julia and her baby got to know me and trust me.
She would bend her head, poised daintily on her long neck, and look at me curiously. She couldn't express herself very clearly, for the giraffe has no voice. They are quite dumb, and incapable of making the slightest sound. Serious accidents have happened on account of this inability to utter sound. Five magnificent animals were burned in their stalls, when the slightest noise would have brought aid.
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| After New York Zoological Society Bulletin |
| This keeper can dispute the farmer who said "There ain't no sich animal," for he has been kissed by this giraffe many, many times. He says her kisses are just as "real" as the human variety. |
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| Courtesy of New York Zoological Society |
| With a neck like the periscope of a submarine, this baby Giraffe commands a wide angle of vision on the affairs of Life. She is "But a lassie yet," and stands only twelve feet tall, but she will be twenty feet high when she is a young lady and can "look down" on some people. |
They travel in small herds of from five to thirty animals. Their hearing is very acute and their eyes of a beautiful brightness, are wide set and command a very wide angle of vision. The small head, planted on the long, towering, slim neck, which acts as an observatory, makes it very difficult to approach them.
The giraffe is the tallest of quadrupeds. It is a native of Africa, formerly found from India to the Cape of Good Hope. Never abundant, they are now almost extinct south of the Zambesi river. They feed on small twigs and leaves of trees, their favourite food being the leaves of the Mimosa tree. Their characteristic features are: Extremely long neck, little head, surmounted by skin-covered horns, tipped with bristles; long upper lip, great height of fore parts, body short and sloping to the lower hindquarters, finished by a long, thin tail that hangs nearly to the ground. The neck contains only seven vertebræ. Each one is elongated. The legs are long and slender; the feet are cloven hooves. A short, thin mane decorates the stovepipe neck and there is a callosity (a callous) on the breast. The hair of the Nubian giraffe is short, smooth and fawn colour, decked with dark, rusty spots.
The pace is a gallop, the hind feet reaching ahead and astride of the fore feet. The giraffe is so tall and unyielding it is compelled to straddle the fore legs to drink or graze. It is a comical sight, I assure you, to see this long fellow take a drink. The tongue is very long (about 17 inches) and very flexible.
The Somali giraffe is smaller and of a deep red colour, marked by a coarse network of fine white lines.
The giraffe is inoffensive, timid and a clean animal. They are among the rarest and most valuable animals in captivity. They thrive well with proper care and are affectionate. They belong to a distinct family of ruminants (cud-chewing animals) called Giraffadæ. The Giraffe and the Okapi are the only members of this family.