Giraffa camelopardalis

giraffe gi*raffe" (j[i^]*r[a^]f"; 277), n. [F. girafe, Sp. girafa, from Ar. zur[=a]fa, zar[=a]fa.] (Zo["o]l.) An African ruminant ({Giraffa camelopardalis} formerly {Camelopardalis giraffa}) related to the deers and antelopes, but placed in a family ({Giraffidae}) by itself; the camelopard. It is the tallest of quadriped animals, being sometimes twenty feet from the hoofs to the top of the head. Its neck is very long, and its fore legs are much longer than its hind legs. There are three types, having different patterns of spots on the pelt and different territories: the {Reticulated Giraffe}, the {Masai Giraffe}, and the {Uganda Giraffe}. Intermediate crosses are also observed. [1913 Webster +PJC]