Behavioral Studies for Rothschild’s Giraffe in Uganda
Behavioural Studies for Rothschild’s Giraffe in Uganda: The Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis Rothschild) is a unique species in Uganda and other parts of East Africa, such as Kenya. Due to its distinctive spot patterns, calm nature, and impressive and towering height, it stands out as one of Uganda’s most iconic and adorable big game creatures in the savannahs. It is commonly found in some of Uganda’s top wildlife destinations, including Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and in the eastern part of the country in Pian Upe Game Reserve.
The Ecological and Behavioural Studies for Rothschild’s Giraffe in Uganda
Being the tallest animal in the world, standing up to 5.5 metres above all other animals and most plants, it is one of the most thrilling sights to behold on the plains. When it walks at a moderate pace, its long neck makes it appear somewhat awkward. To drink, giraffes must stretch their legs widely and then drop their necks, which makes them slightly dangerous for predators. This makes them appear very ridiculous.
Rothschild’s giraffe in Kidepo Valley National Park
Based on the behavioural Studies for Rothschild’s Giraffe in Uganda, there were only three giraffes left in Kidepo Valley National Park as of the 1990s. Although poaching as a vice has ceased, sickness and human activities such as habitat degradation and fragmentation continue to pose threats to giraffes. The increase in the human population is ultimately responsible for all of these dangers.
Kidepo had more than 400 Rothschild giraffes in a sustainable population in the 1960s. Only three animals remained, including one female, as a result of poaching by 1992. The Frankfurt Zoological Society provided cash to Warden Peter Möller in 1997 so that giraffes from Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park could be relocated. In the Lake Nakuru detention centre, one female perished. One male and two females were transported by air to Kidepo. Shortly after being freed, a male lion in Kidepo was devoured by lions.
There are currently more than 1,576 Rothchild’s giraffes in Uganda. It was just moved to Pian Upe Game Reserve in 2019, making it scarce elsewhere in its former habitat. It is incredibly common in the northern part of Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo National Park. The tallest animal in the world, standing at 5.5 metres, lives in loosely organised mixed-sex herds that usually include five to fifteen animals. Although massive aggregations are common in Uganda, herd individuals are usually observed alone or in smaller groups because they may be spread out over an area of up to 1 km.
Feeding Habits
Following the ecological and behavioural studies of the Rothschild’s giraffe in Uganda, the giraffe feeds on leaves, flowers, seedpods, and fruits when the savanna floor is saline or mineral-rich. They have a four-chambered stomach, are ruminants, and also consume soil. When travelling, chewing cud helps them take advantage of more eating chances. In order to help them get leaves off the towering trees while they browse, these giant-featured creatures have long tongues, thin muzzles, and flexible top lips. They use a variety of tree species, such as Prunus armeniaca, Mimosa pudica, Combretum micranthum, and Acacia senegal, for browsing.
The leaves of Acacia trees are their main source of food. When giraffes browse, they take the branches in their mouths and shred the leaves off by pulling the heads away. The thorns of acacia plants are crushed by giraffe molars. For a single day, an adult male giraffe can eat up to 66 kilogrammes of food. However, in low-quality environments, a giraffe may live on 7 kg of food per day. The underside of the lofty canopy provides the giraffes with fodder, and males usually feed with their heads and necks completely extended to the shoots. Female giraffes are especially picky eaters, consuming the crowns of lower trees or plants at body and knee height. The most nutritious foliage is the one they select.
Height and Size of Rothschild’s Giraffe
The giraffe’s height benefits it in a way that it allows it to maintain a keen eye out for potential threats throughout the vast African savanna. It might be hazardous and challenging for giraffes to drink at a waterhole because of their size. In order to accomplish this, the giraffe must stretch its legs and stoop in an unnatural position, leaving it open to fierce predators. Giraffes only drink once every few days because the majority of their water comes from the lush plants they consume.
Its height also enables it to reach leaves and buds on trees that are inaccessible to most other animals. They are able to extract delicious morsels from branches that are difficult to reach because of their enormous 53 cm-long tongues. Giraffes eat most of the time, find food by travelling great distances, and chew the cud, just like cows. Cows give birth while standing; therefore, the calves are welcomed into the world in a somewhat harsh manner. Remarkably, the babies are able to stand within the first 30 minutes and run alongside their moms for a remarkable 10 hours after delivery.
Rothschild’s giraffe behaviour
Based on the behavioural studies of the Rothschild’s giraffe in Uganda, researchers have seen herds of up to 70. Rothschild’s giraffes are gregarious animals that live in loose, open, and unstable herds of 10 to 20 individuals. Individual giraffes join and depart the herd at their own discretion; there are no important rules regarding herd membership. All females, males, females with young calves, and mixed genders and ages can all be found in a herd.
Compared to their male counterparts, female giraffes are more aggressive. Isolated introverts are frequently seen on safari in Murchison Falls National Park. The Rothschild’s giraffe sleeps at night while standing, but it can occasionally lie down and feed and drink in the morning and evening. The head rests on a hind leg while it sleeps, and the neck forms a striking arch.
When they are gently sleeping, they stay completely erect, their ears and half-closed eyelids still twitching. Giraffes typically chew their cud during the hot noon hours, though this can happen at any time of day. Adult male giraffes use sparring, in which two people stand parallel and stiff-legged, to create dominance hierarchies.
The males stare forward and keep their necks horizontal as they march in unison. To assess their opponent’s strength, they lean against one another after rubbing and tying their heads and necks together. When two giraffes stand next to each other and whip their heads at one another, it is known as “necking.” They point their horns at the neck, sides, or rump of their adversary. An opponent can be injured or knocked down with a sufficiently strong blow.
With exceptional top speeds of 60 km/h, the Rothschild’s giraffe is a swift mammal. They are able to run long distances. They do not belong to any territory. Depending on the availability of food and water, giraffes can live anywhere between 5 and 654 km2. Additionally, Rothschild’s giraffe is a perfect host for bothersome ticks. Oxpecker birds (Buphagus africanus) are frequently observed on Uganda safaris resting on giraffes’ necks and backs in order to remove ticks from their skin. Giraffes and oxpecker birds have a remarkable mutually beneficial relationship.
Although they occasionally communicate with one another through grunts or whistle-like screams, giraffes primarily use infrasonic sounds to communicate. Giraffes can also communicate by hissing, snoring, moaning, and making flute-like noises. Mother giraffes may whistle to their young calves and use loud sounds to find their lost offspring. Giraffes can also grunt or snort to alert other giraffes to danger. The calves mew or bleat in response to their mother’s calls.
Giraffes can maintain constant visual contact even when they are far from their herd because of Rothschild’s theory that their keen vision is primarily based on their height. Giraffes can identify predators far away and get ready to kick in self-defence. In quest of food or drink, members of a herd may disperse far throughout the grassland, only congregating around trees that provide good food or in response to danger.
Conclusion
Because of the unique behavioural adaptations of Rothschild’s giraffes in Uganda, conservation efforts should prioritise social stability, environmental protection, and human-wildlife cooperation.