It was once believed that giraffes consisted of only 1 species. However, recent comprehensive genetic analysis has shown that there are actually 4 species of giraffes. Each of the 4 species is as different from the others as polar bears are from brown bears, according to the analysis.

Giraffes live in woodlands and savannas and eat leaves and fruits, along with the flowers of the acacia plant. It is estimated that the number of giraffes has fallen 40% over the past 20 years due to illegal hunting, range fragmentation, and habitat loss due to human population growth.