Giraffe | Facts, Information, Habitat, Species, & Lifespan | Britannica.
Giraffe, (genus Giraffa), any of four species in the genus Giraffa of long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals of Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. Giraffes are the tallest of all land animals; males (bulls) may exceed 5.5 metres (18 feet) in height, and the tallest females (cows) are about 4.5 metres. Using prehensile tongues almost half a metre long, they are able to browse foliage almost six metres from the ground. Giraffes are a common sight in grasslands and open woodlands in East Africa, where they can be seen in reserves such as Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. The genus Giraffa is made up of the northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis), the southern giraffe (G. giraffa), the Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), and the reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata).
Thanks to their appetite for fruit, orangutans have built a symbiotic relationship with fruit trees. While feeding, they disperse seeds throughout the forest.
Often called the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon rainforest spans nine countries, but about 60% lies in Brazil. In recent years, disastrous fires, caused mainly by humans, have engulfed extensive tracts of this precious forest and killed its wild inhabitants in thousands. These fires have plundered the natural wealth of vast sections of the Amazon, making a mockery of millions of years of evolution.
Imagine an expansive, vibrant rainforest, abundant with life. Trees of various heights and thicknesses reach up towards the sky, their lush green leaves quivering slightly in the breeze. Ground foliage is a riot of colors, with flowers in hues of radiant purples, blazing oranges, and brilliant blues interspersed amongst the green. Streams meander through the thick vegetation, their crystal clear waters reflecting fragments of the surrounding kaleidoscope of colors. All of this is portrayed in an abstract style, with plenty of artistic interpretations, emphasizing the use of bold colors and geometrical shapes to represent the various elements of the rainforest.
It’s only right to start off the list with the mother of all forests, aka the ‘Lungs of the Earth.’ The Amazon covers about 40% of South America and is home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the world. This immense rainforest, the world’s largest, has unfortunately been partially destroyed by forest fires and is constantly being impacted by climate change. So, visit while you can! Do keep in mind that although South America is known as a budget destination, visiting the Amazon isn’t necessarily cheap. There’s also some things to keep in mind before setting out on this bucket list adventure:
The Amazon isn’t really a place you can take on alone… going with a tour is the best solution
The tours can be many weeks, so the best way to have a great experience is to round up like-minded TravelMates that you can share the tours with!
Make sure you’ve checked what vaccinations you need to have (yellow fever at least)
Bring lots of loose fitting clothing (it’s hot and humid and you’ll protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes)
The province of British Columbia is known for its many magnificent forests with humungous trees. For a forest lover, this area of Canada is the ultimate therapy. The Great Bear Rainforest is special firstly because it’s literally the size of Ireland. Sometimes called the ‘Amazon of the North’, the forest is full of wildlife, cascading waterfalls and ancient cedar trees. In this wilderness, though, roads only get you so far. Sailing along the BC coast is one of the coolest ways to experience the area, and if it’s in your budget, its also possible to experience the rainforest by flying above it. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the white Kermode bear!
Giraffe | Facts, Information, Habitat, Species, & Lifespan | Britannica.
Giraffe, (genus Giraffa), any of four species in the genus Giraffa of long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals of Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. Giraffes are the tallest of all land animals; males (bulls) may exceed 5.5 metres (18 feet) in height, and the tallest females (cows) are about 4.5 metres. Using prehensile tongues almost half a metre long, they are able to browse foliage almost six metres from the ground. Giraffes are a common sight in grasslands and open woodlands in East Africa, where they can be seen in reserves such as Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. The genus Giraffa is made up of the northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis), the southern giraffe (G. giraffa), the Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), and the reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata).
