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Giraffe Subspecies

There are nine subspecies of giraffe based on distinctive color and pattern.

* Reticulated or Somali Giraffe (G.c. reticulata) - large, polygonal liver-colored spots outlined by a network of bright white lines. Inhabits northeastern Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia.

* Angolan or Smoky Giraffe (G.c. angolensis) - large spots and some notches around the edges, extending down the entire lower leg. Inhabits Angola, Zambia.

* Kordofan Giraffe (G.c. antiquorum) - smaller, more irregular spots that cover the inner legs. Inhabits western and southwestern Sudan.

* Masai or Kilimanjaro Giraffe (G.c. tippelskirchi) - jagged-edged, vine-leaf shaped spots of dark chocolate on a yellowish background. Inhabits central and southern Kenya, Tanzania.

* Nubian Giraffe (G.c. camelopardalis) - large, four-sided spots of chestnut brown on an off-white background and no spots on inner sides of the legs or below the hocks. Inhabits eastern Sudan, northeast Congo.

* Rothschild Giraffe or Baringo Giraffe or Ugandan Giraffe (G.c. rothschildi) - deep brown, blotched or rectangular spots with poorly defined cream lines. Hocks may be spotted. Inhabits Uganda, north-central Kenya.

* South African Giraffe (G.c. giraffa) - rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves. Inhabits South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.

* Thornicroft or Rhodesian Giraffe (G.c. thornicrofti) - star-shaped or leafy spots extend to the lower leg. Inhabits eastern Zambia. (END PAGE)

* West African or Nigerian Giraffe (G.c. peralta) - numerous pale, yellowish red spots. Inhabits Niger, Cameroon.