Baby Giraffe

Subspecies
Different authorities recognize different numbers of subspecies, differentiated by size, colour and pattern variations and range. Some of these subspecies may prove to be separate species as they appear to be reproductively isolated despite their mobility. The subspecies recognized by most recent authorities are:
• G. c. camelopardalis, the nominate subspecies, is known as the Nubian Giraffe. Its coat pattern has large, four-sided spots of chestnut brown on an off-white background and no spots on inner sides of the legs or below the hocks. It is found in eastern Sudan and northeastern DR Congo. It has been estimated that fewer than 250 remain in the wild, but little is known about this subspecies and consequently this estimate is labelled with great uncertainty. It is very rare in captivity, although kept at Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates.