Rothschild giraffe
| Rothschild's giraffe | |
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| Rothschild's giraffe in Tierpark Berlin in Germany | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Giraffidae |
| Genus: | Giraffa |
| Species: | G. camelopardalis |
| Subspecies: | G. c. camelopardis |
| Trinomial name | |
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Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardis |
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| Rothschild's giraffe's range in pink | |
| Synonyms | |
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G.c. rothschildi (Lydekker, 1903) |
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G.c. rothschildi (Lydekker, 1903)
The Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) is a subspecies of Giraffa species. It is one of the most endangered distinct populations of giraffe, with 1500 individuals estimated in the wild.
The IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi was named after the Tring Museum's founder, Walter Rothschild, and is also known as the Baringo giraffe, after the Lake Baringo area of Kenya, or as the Ugandan giraffe. All of those living in the wild are in protected areas in Kenya and Uganda. In 2007, Rothschild's giraffe was proposed as a separate species from other giraffe. In 2016, Rothschild's giraffe was proposed to be conspecific with the Nubian giraffe, but that taxonomy has not been widely adopted.
The Rothschild's giraffe is easily distinguishable from other subspecies. The most obvious sign is in the coloring of the coat, or pelt. Whereas the reticulated giraffe has very clearly defined dark patches with bright-whitish channels between them, Rothschild's giraffe more closely resembles the proper coating of Masai giraffe. However, when compared to the Masai giraffe, the Rothschild's ecotype is paler, the orange-brown patches are less jagged and sharp in shape, and the connective channel is of a creamier hue compared to that seen on the reticulated giraffe. In addition, Rothschild's giraffe displays no markings on the lower leg, giving it the impression of wearing white stockings.
Another distinguishing feature of Rothschild's giraffe, although harder to spot, is the number of ossicones on the head. This is the only Giraffa phenotype to be born with five ossicones. Two of these are the larger and more obvious ones at the top of the head, which are common to all giraffes. The third ossicone can often be seen in the center of the giraffe's forehead, and the other two are behind each ear. They are also taller than many other populations, measuring up to 5.88 metres (19.3 feet) tall.
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Wikipedia