Why are giraffes not part of the deer family? How do giraffes sleep?

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, with a height of more than 5 meters and a weight of about 900 kilograms. The largest male currently weighs 1,800 kilograms. Many friends are curious about how such a long giraffe usually sleeps? Let's explore the mystery of its sleep!

Contents of this article

1. Why giraffes do not belong to the deer family

2. How do giraffes sleep?

3. What posture do giraffes use when sleeping?

Why aren't giraffes considered deer?

Giraffes do not belong to the Cervidae family because they are not deer. They belong to the separate Giraffidae family, but they belong to the same order as deer. This is similar to the common saying that "seahorses are not horses" and "seals are not leopards". They belong to the same order but not the same family, and the nature of the animal species is different.

Giraffes do not belong to the deer family because they are not deer. They are ruminant even-toed ungulates that grow in Africa and belong to the separate Giraffe family.

Giraffes and deer are both even-toed ungulates. Giraffes belong to the Giraffidae family, while deer belong to the Cervidae family. Giraffes can only eat leaves, while deer can eat grass. Giraffes and deer are different in species and nature, and are another type of animal, so they do not belong to the Cervidae family.

How do giraffes sleep?

Giraffes sleep lying down most of the time, but sometimes they sleep standing up. Giraffes sleep very little, and wild giraffes sleep only about half an hour a day on average, because they need to stay alert at all times to avoid being attacked by other animals.

Captive giraffes sleep more each day than wild giraffes. They sleep intermittently for about 4.6 hours a day, and most of their sleep time is concentrated at night.

Because giraffes are preyed upon by large carnivores, they have evolved to stand up and rarely lie down because it is very strenuous for them to stand up.

What posture do giraffes use to sleep?

Giraffes sleep standing up most of the time, but sometimes they sleep on their stomachs. When a giraffe sleeps on its stomach, its two front legs and one hind leg are bent under its belly, and the other hind leg is stretched out to one side. Its long neck is arched forward or backward, with its lower jaw close to its calf.

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, generally over 5 meters in height and weighing about 900 kilograms. The largest male currently weighs 1,800 kilograms.

Giraffes are not only fast runners, but also have strong jumping ability. When encountering an enemy, their hooves that are good at jumping are their most powerful self-defense weapon.

Giraffes are thirst-resistant animals. Under normal circumstances, the water contained in the food they eat can meet their body needs. If they can't find a water source, giraffes can go several months without drinking water directly.