Major new assessment recognises four separate giraffe species for the first time
‘Vital’ new study changes what we know about giraffes
- A new assessment has concluded there are four distinct giraffe species, overturning the previous classification of the world’s tallest land mammal as a single species.
- The review, conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), used genetic data, skull structure, bone shape, and geographical features to identify the separate species.
- Historically, giraffes were classified as a single species with nine subspecies, but uncertainty over their taxonomy has long existed.
- Scientists describe this reclassification as vital for better assessing their conservation status and targeting action to protect them, as giraffes are currently vulnerable to extinction.
- The four officially recognised species are the Northern giraffe, Reticulated giraffe, Masai giraffe, and Southern giraffe, each with several recognised subspecies.