Stock Photo - A female giraffe stands quietly amongst acacia trees as she suckles her calf.The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest living terrestrial. Its species name refers to its camel-like shape and its leopard-like colouring. Its distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like cones, and its distinctive coat patterns. The giraffe´s scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south. . Giraffes usually inhabit savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands. Their primary food source is acacia leaves, which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach. . Giraffes are preyed on by lions; their calves are also targeted by leopards, spotted hyenas, and wild dogs. Adult giraffes do not have strong social bonds, though they do gather in loose aggregations if they happen to be moving in the same general direction. Males establish social hierarchies through ""necking"", which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. Dominant males gain mating access to females, which bear the sole responsibility for raising the young. . The giraffe has intrigued various cultures, both ancient and modern, for its peculiar appearance, and has often been featured in paintings, books, and cartoons.