Giraffids are ruminant artiodactyl mammals in the family Giraffidae that share a common ancestor with cervids and bovids. This family, once a diverse group spread throughout Eurasia and Africa, presently comprises only 2 extant genera, the giraffe (1 or more species of Giraffa, depending on taxonomic interpretation) and the okapi (the only known species of Okapia). Both are confined to sub-Saharan Africa: the giraffe to the open savannas, and the okapi to the dense rainforest of the Congo. The 2 genera look very different on 1st sight, but share a number of common features, including a long, dark-colored tongue, lobed canine teeth, and horns covered in skin, called ossicones.
This category is for animals that are giraffids.
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