The tallest giraffe ever recorded was a Masai bull named George, who stood an impressive 5.8 meters (19 feet) tall.
The Record-Breaking Height of George the Giraffe
Giraffes are renowned for their towering stature, but one individual, a Masai bull named George, stands out as the tallest ever recorded. His extraordinary height solidified his place in history as a true giant among his species.
Who Was George?
George was a Masai bull (G. c. tippelskirchi), a subspecies identifiable by its distinctive jagged, star-like patches. He arrived at Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom on January 8, 1959, having been brought from Kenya.
Key Facts About George:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | George |
| Subspecies | Masai Bull (G. c. tippelskirchi) |
| Origin | Kenya |
| Date Acquired | January 8, 1959 |
| Location | Chester Zoo, UK |
| Peak Height | 5.8 meters (19 feet) (at nine years old) |
George's Remarkable Stature
At nine years old, George reached his astounding height of 5.8 meters (19 feet). This remarkable stature was so pronounced that his horns nearly touched the roof of the Giraffe House at Chester Zoo, which itself stood at a considerable height of 6.1 meters (20 feet). This detail vividly illustrates just how exceptionally tall George was, even in a custom-built enclosure.
Understanding Giraffe Height
Giraffes are the world's tallest mammals, with their height typically measured from the ground to the tips of their ossicones (horn-like structures on their heads). This incredible height allows them to browse on leaves and buds from tall trees that other herbivores cannot reach, giving them a unique ecological niche.
For more information on animal records, you can visit Guinness World Records. For general information about giraffes, reputable sources such as zoo websites or conservation organizations are excellent resources.
