THE GIRAFFE

THE SUBSPECIES OF GIRAFFE are as follow

• The Nubian giraffe, G. c. camelopardalis,^[17] the nominate subspecies, is found in eastern South Sudan and south-western Ethiopia.^[18] It has sharply defined chestnut-colored spots surrounded by mostly white lines, while undersides lack spotting. The median lump is particularly developed in the male.^[19]:51 Fewer than 250 are thought to remain in the wild, although this number is uncertain.^[18] It is rare in captivity, although a group is kept at Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates.^[20] In 2003, this group numbered 14.^[21]
• The reticulated giraffe, G. c. reticulata,^[17] also known as the Somali giraffe, is native to north-eastern Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and Somalia.^[18] Its distinctive coat pattern consists of sharp-edged, reddish brown polygonal patches divided by a network of thin white lines. Spots may or may not extend bellow the hocks and a median lump is present in males.^[19]:53 An estimated maximum of 5,000 remain in the wild,^[18] and based on International Species Information System records, more than 450 are kept in zoos.^[22]
• The Angolan giraffe or the Namibian giraffe, G. c. angolensis, is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, and western Zimbabwe. A 2009 genetic study on this subspecies suggests the northern Namib Desert and Etosha National Park populations form a separate subspecies.^[23] This subspecies has large brown blotches with edges that are either somewhat notched or have angular extensions. The spotting pattern extends throughout the legs and the spots but not the upper part of the face. The neck and rump patches tend to be fairly small. The subspecies also has a white ear patch.^[19]:51 A maximum of 20,000 animals are estimated to remain in the wild;^[18] and about 20 are kept in zoos.^[22]
• The Kordofan giraffe, G. c. antiquorum,^[17] has a distribution which includes southern Chad, the Central African Republic, northern Cameroon, and north-eastern DR Congo. Populations in Cameroon were formerly included in G. c. peralta, but this was incorrect.^[24] Compared to the Nubian giraffe, this subspecies has smaller and more irregular spotting patterns. Its spots may be found below the hocks and the insides of the legs. A median lump is present in males.^[19]:51–52 A maximum of 3,000 are believed to remain in the wild.^[18] Considerable confusion has existed over the status of this subspecies and G. c. peralta in zoos. In 2007, all alleged G. c. peralta in European zoos were shown to be, in fact, G. c. antiquorum.^[24] With this correction, about 65 are kept in zoos.^[22] The formely recognised subspecies "G.c.Congoesis" is now considered part of Kordofan subspecies.
• The Masai giraffe, G. c. tippelskirchi,^[17] also known as the Kilimanjaro giraffe, can be found in central and southern Kenya and in Tanzania.^[18] It has distinctive, irregular, jagged, star-like blotches which extend to the hooves. A median lump is usually present in males.^[19]:54[25] A maximum of 40,000 are thought to remain in the wild,^[18] and about 100 are kept in zoos.^[22]
• Rothschild's giraffe, G. c. rothschildi^[17] named for Walter Rothschild,^[17] is also called the Baringo or Ugandan giraffe. Its range includes parts of Uganda and Kenya.^[2] Its presence in South Sudan is uncertain.^[26] This giraffe has large dark patches that usually have complete margins, but may also have sharp edges. The dark spots may also have paler radiating lines or streaks within them. Spotting does not often reach below the hocks and almost never to the hooves. This subspecies may also develop five "horns".^[19]:53 Fewer than 700 are believed to remain in the wild,^[18] and more than 450 are kept in zoos.^[22]
• The South African giraffe, G. c. giraffa, is found in northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, and south-western Mozambique.^[18] It has dark, somewhat rounded patches "with some fine projections" on a tawny background color. The spots extend down the legs and get smaller. The median lump of males is less developed.^[19]:52 A maximum of 12,000 are estimated to remain in the wild,^[18] and around 45 are kept in zoos.^[22]
• The Rhodesian giraffe, G. c. thornicrofti,^[17] also called the Thornicroft giraffe after Harry Scott Thornicroft,^[17] is restricted to the Luangwa Valley in eastern Zambia.^[18] The patches are notched and somewhat star-shaped, and may or may not extend across the legs. The median lump of males is underdeveloped.^[19]:54 No more than 1,500 remain in the wild,^[18] with none kept in zoos.^[22]
• The West African giraffe, G. c. peralta,^[17] also known as the Niger or Nigerian giraffe,^[27] is endemic to south-western Niger.^[2] This animal has a lighter pelage than other subspecies,^[10]:322 with lobe-shaped blotches that reach below the hocks. The ossicones are more erect than in other subspecies and males have well-developed median lumps.^[19]:52–53 It is the most endangered subspecies with fewer than 220 individuals remaining in the wild.^[18] Giraffes in Cameroon were formerly believed to belong to this subspecies, but are actually G. c. antiquorum.^[24] This error resulted in some confusion over its status in zoos, but in 2007, it was established that all "G. c. peralta" kept in European zoos actually are G. c. antiquorum.