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Giraffes are long-necked, hooved mammals native to the savannas and woodlands of Africa. They are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes a pattern of spots on their fur and a long, prehensile tongue used for feeding on leaves and buds in treetops. Giraffes are the tallest land animals on Earth, with males reaching heights up to 18 feet and females up to 14 feet. They have a strong, muscular body and powerful legs that allow them to run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour over short distances. As members of the mammal class, giraffes give birth to live young after a gestation period of about 15 months. Newborn giraffes are able to stand and walk within hours of birth, and they begin nursing almost immediately. Giraffes have a unique method of drinking, in which they splay their front legs wide apart and bend down to reach the water with their long necks. Giraffes play an important role in their ecosystem as both herbivores and prey animals. They help to control vegetation in their habitats by feeding on leaves and branches, and they provide a source of food for predators such as lions and hyenas. Despite their size and strength, giraffes are vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss, and they are currently listed as a species of concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In the hierarchy "Animals/Animals By Taxonomy/Mammals/Giraffes," giraffes represent a specific group of mammals that are characterized by their long necks and distinctive coat patterns. They are one of several species in the Giraffidae family, which also includes the okapi, a smaller relative found only in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.