9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal

Everything you see on Safari is amazing – even if you’re not a bird person you’ll find yourself shouting “Stop the car!!” when you see something flutter in the bushes. That being said, some things you spot are cuter than others. As for me, the giraffe is clearly the winner of being the cutest safari animal.

Here’s why:

#1 Long Lashes

Giraffes have long, thick eyelashes that not only protect their eyes from the harsh savannah dust but also give them a glamourous look. These eyelashes, measuring up to three inches long, can make anyone envious!

#2 Naturally Curious

Giraffes are naturally curious animals. They often approach vehicles slowly and peer in with a cautious but intrigued expression – which is the perfect opportunity to get the best safari shot.

#3 Awkward Drinking Postures

masai giraffe — Masai giraffe. AindriúH, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Even though they have the longest necks in the animal kingdom, they’re still too short to reach the ground and they have to awkwardly spread their legs or bend their knees to drink water.

This adorably awkward pose is known as “the giraffe split.”

#4 Patterns Like Fingerprints

Every giraffe has a unique coat pattern that set them apart, much like a human fingerprint. Just imagine how odd a giraffe would look without its spots?

#5 Surprisingly Speedy

Despite their size and awkwardly long limbs, giraffes move with a surprising grace. Did you know that they can gallop at up to 35 miles per hour? (probably way faster than I can run)

#6 Cuddle Buddies

baby giraffe — A baby Giraffe. Image by Adam Mosley on Unsplash.

Giraffes are known to engage in nuzzling and necking behaviors with each other, which is part of their social interaction. Essentially – cuddling is a big part of how they hang out with their friends.

Just when you thought they couldn’t get any cuter, they turn out to be great cuddle buddies.

#7 Soulful Eyes

The large, soulful eyes of a giraffe, rimmed with long lashes, exude warmth and kindness. Their eyes can melt hearts and are often cited as a window into the gentle soul of this towering animal.

#8 Horns

There a few other animals that have horns that are this cute. They’re short, stocky, and fluffy. I’m sure that maybe technically they’re for some sort of defense, but how could these cute things cause any real harm?

#9 Blue Tongues

Giraffes possess a striking feature that is as functional as it is intriguing: their long, blue tongues.

This blue-black coloration is thought to help protect their tongues from sunburn as they feed on leaves from tall trees, often under the harsh African sun.

Why the Giraffe Is the Cutest Safari Animal: Wrapping Up

If you weren’t convinced that the giraffe is the cutest safari animal yet – you should be now. What’s not to love about these tall, awkward, cuddly and curious animals?

Thank you for reading this article about why the giraffe is the cutest safari animal! For more safari content, take a look here:

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Josie Messeter

Author at Animals Around The Globe. BA Gender Studies & Literature

Josie is Swedish but has lived in South Africa for 12 years. She spends as much time as possible in the ocean or hiking in the mountains, no matter the weather. Although she adores all sorts of animals, dogs occupy the biggest spot in her heart – especially her Maltese-Chihuahua named Bootsy.

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