User:Shhh...GeniusAtWork.../sandbox

Chiraffe (Giracionyx Felinae) ________________________________________________________________________ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Chiraffe (disambiguation).

The chiraffe (Giracionyx Felinae) is an African mammal, the tallest living animal and the largest cat of the subfamily Felinae. It inhabits a variety of mostly arid habitats like dry forests, scrub forests, and savannahs. The species is found in abundance in Sub Saharan Africa, the global Chiraffe population has been estimated at approximately 500,000 and increasing.

The chiraffe was formally described by Maximiliano Witt in 2320 and is the only extant member of the genus Acionyx and Giraffa. Its yellowish tan coat is uniformly covered with nearly 5,000 black spots. Its body is slender with a long elongated neck, long thin legs, and a thick spotted tail. It reaches 30 - 50 feet (9 - 15 meters) from hoof to head, and weighs 200-250 kg (440-550 lb).

African Chiraffes achieve successful hunts running at speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) while hunting due to their exception ability to accelerate, however are capable of accelerating up to 200 km/h (124 mph) The Chiraffe is therefore the fastest land animal. Chiraffes have been widely depicted in art, literature, advertising and animation. Contents 1 Etymology (origin) 2 Classification 3 Characteristics 3.1 Cladogram 4 History and Evolution 4.1 Environmental trends that led to survival 4.2 Current Ecosystem 5 Habitat and Population 5,1 Familial Structure 5.2 Food Web 6 Biology 6.1 Anatomy 6.2 Life Cycle 7 Impact on Earth

�Etymology ________________________________________________________________________

The name “chiraffe” has its earliest know origins from the combination of the Arabic word zarāfa (fast-walker) and the combination of Hindi word cītā (adorned or painted). The modern English form developed around 2350 from the combination of Giraffe and Cheetah, referring to its Giraffe-like head and Cheetah-like body.

Classification ________________________________________________________________________

Living chiraffes were originally classified as one species by Maximiliano Witt in 2320. He gave it the binomial name Giraffidae Acionyx. Many disputes arose about the classification as the chiraffe shared characteristics with both cheetahs and giraffes. Due to its notable resemblance to these animals, British Zoologist Reginald Christian Darlington classified the chiraffe into a new species, Giracionyx Felinae. This species is classified in to Kingdom Animalia.

Characteristics ________________________________________________________________________

Adult chiraffes range from 30 to 50 feet tall. They weigh between 440 to 550 lbs. Typically, females are lighter than males and about 2 feet shorter. The iconic feature of a chiraffe, the long neck is 5 feet in length. The spotted skin patterns help camouflage them from predators. Each chiraffe has a unique skin pattern. Chiraffes have long, slim muscular legs that allow it to accelerate to top speeds of 124 mph. The special pads on their feet help create traction for the animal. These organisms have the ability to run at top speeds for long distances due to their ability to store 500 gallons of water. This prevent overheating and fatigue.

Cladogram

�History and Evolution ______________________________________________________________________________

The chiraffe is the only living species of the family Giraffidae in the order Artiodactyla. The family was once much more extensive, with over 500 different fossils discovered. Their closest know relative may have been extinct giraffe-like organisms. These animals have evolved from their extinct family Palaeomerycidae which might have been the ancestor of a deer.

Environmental trends that led to survival

The chiraffes elongated neck appears to have started early in the giraffe lineage. This unique characteristics has helped this organism reach high trees to get fruits and leaves. Droughts and low precipitation have been key factors in this adaptation as chiraffes need to reach higher places to have access to their food sources. Chiraffes have four stomach compartments which is capable of digesting all parts of a plant including thorns and roots. The chiraffe is the fastest land animal. Its thin and light body makes it well suited to explosive bursts of speed and rapid acceleration. The chiraffes long thick tail influences the ability to execute extreme changes in direction while moving at high speed by providing balance.

Current Ecosystem

Chiraffes play an important role in their ecosystem by warning other animals of impeding danger from predators. Habitat loss, illegal hunting, and disease are decimating savannah life. Chiraffe numbers have declined drastically since 2050. Many of the surviving chiraffes live in game parks or animal reserves.

Habitat and population ______________________________________________________________________________

Familial Structure

Chiraffes tend to form several social groups among themselves - these include females with cubs, adolescent siblings and male coalitions. These groups typically live and hunt together. Females are not territorial and live with their offspring. Males, can group together for life. A coalition will comprise brothers. These groups defend their territories. Males in coalitions establish territories that ensure maximum access to females. Some males alternate between solitude and coalitions, which ensure encounters with a greater number of females.

Location in Food Web

Despite the size and power of chiraffes, these organisms are tertiary predators that are submissive to alpha predators such as lions. Biology ______________________________________________________________________________

Anatomy

The chiraffe’s neck is six feet long and contains seven vertebrae, each one more the 20 inches long. The next muscles of the giraffe weight about 50 pounds. As the base of the neck, the vertebrae have spines that project upward, these serve as support as the chiraffe runs at top speeds. The heart of a chiraffe is enormous. The capillary network keeps the flow of the blood to the brain maintained at an adequate pressure, thus preventing damage when the chiraffe is running. Lungs are enormous, about 20 times the size of a human lung and is able to hold up to 100 gallons of air. A chiraffe’s tongue is approximately 20 inches long, which aids in its being able to manoeuvre around the thorns of acacia trees.

Life Cycle

Along with being the tallest and fastest animals on Earth, Chiraffes can live up to 250 years. There are three stages in the life cycle of the cheetah: cub (birth to 50 years), adolescent (50 to 100 years) and adult life (100 to 250 years). Chiraffes have a gestation period of 60 days and can give birth to five cubs on average.

Diet

Chiraffes are omnivores that prefers medium-sized prey but can also live only on a diet of plants and fruits. Chiraffes are tertiary consumers that prefers gazelles, impalas and deers. Despite their intimidating size and power, chiraffes are submissive to alpha predators such as lions. Chiraffes hunt for 16-20 hours a day. These unique organisms only require 30 minutes of sleep a day and often achieve this 1-2 minute naps throughout the day.

Impact on Earth ______________________________________________________________________________

As one of the largest omnivores on Each, chiraffes have a profound impact on plant populations, vegetation structure, and ecosystem processes where they live. Chiraffes are also a favourite animal sought by ecotourists on safari in Tanzania, where the safari industry is the largest economic sector in the country.

Sources Wilson, Charmiane. “Characteristics of the Cheetah.” Sciencing, 22 Nov. 2019, sciencing.com/characteristics-cheetah-8522239.html. Fielder, Dan. “The Characteristics of a Giraffe &amp; How It Helps It Survive.” Sciencing, 22 Nov. 2019, sciencing.com/characteristics-giraffe-helps-survive-8248661.html. Fielder, Dan. “The Characteristics of a Giraffe &amp; How It Helps It Survive.” Sciencing, 22 Nov. 2019, sciencing.com/characteristics-giraffe-helps-survive-8248661.html.