The giraffe is the tallest land animal on Earth and the largest ruminant mammal. This immense stature translates directly into a significant body mass. This analysis will detail the specific measurements of the adult giraffe’s mass, exploring the physical structures that support it and the natural variations that exist across its populations.
The Core Measurement: Adult Weight Ranges
The weight of an adult giraffe varies significantly based on sex, a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism. Adult males, commonly referred to as bulls, are substantially heavier than females, known as cows.
An average adult male giraffe typically weighs around 1,192 kilograms (2,628 pounds). The weight range for bulls is broad, frequently falling between 1,090 and 1,360 kilograms (2,400 to 3,000 pounds). Exceptional males have been recorded reaching up to 1,930 kilograms (nearly 4,200 pounds).
Adult female giraffes maintain a lower average mass, typically around 828 kilograms (1,825 pounds). Female weights range from about 815 to 1,180 kilograms (1,800 to 2,600 pounds), making them notably lighter than their male counterparts. This size difference is partly influenced by the males’ need for greater strength during “necking,” the physical combat used to establish dominance and secure mating access.
Contextualizing the Mass: Height and Anatomy
The giraffe’s mass is distributed across a body plan that optimizes for height. Adult males stand up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) tall, and females reaching about 4.3 meters (14 feet). The long neck, measuring about 1.8 meters (6 feet), contributes up to 272 kilograms (600 pounds) to the overall weight.
The circulatory system requires specialized anatomical adaptations. A large heart is needed to pump blood to the brain located meters above it. This muscular organ can be up to 0.6 meters (2 feet) long and weighs approximately 11 kilograms (25 pounds).
This powerful pump generates blood pressure twice as high as that found in most other mammals. The skeletal framework supports this weight through specialized bone growth, linked to the FGFRL1 gene, promoting compact and denser bone structure.
Variations in Size Across Subspecies
The overall weight averages represent the species as a whole, but subtle variations exist among different populations and subspecies. While traditionally grouped as one species with nine subspecies, modern genetic research suggests there may be four distinct species. These species, such as the Masai, Reticulated, and Northern giraffe, have unique geographical ranges and physical characteristics.
Studies focusing on the Rothschild’s giraffe, a Northern subspecies, have reported mean adult male weights reaching 1,307 kilograms. This demonstrates that some groups tend toward the higher end of the general average.
These differences are a result of genetic drift, varying habitat conditions, and the localized availability of preferred forage, which influences an individual’s growth and overall body size.