Giraffidae

The biological family Giraffidae contains just two members, the Giraffe and the Okapi. Both are confined to sub-saharan Africa: the Giraffe to the open savannas, and the Okapi to the dense rainforest of the Congo. The two species look very different on first sight, but share a number of common features, including a long, dark-coloured tongue, lobed canine teeth, and horns covered in skin.

The closest relatives of the Giraffidae are the other members of the suborder Ruminata, which include cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, and antelope.

• ORDER ARTIODACTYLA
  • Suborder Suina: pigs, hippos and peccaries
  • Suborder Tylopoda: camels and llamas
  • Suborder Ruminantia
    • Family Tragulidae: chevrotains
    • Family Moschidae: musk deer
    • Family Cervidae: deer
    • Family Giraffidae
      • Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis
      • Okapi, Okapia johnstoni
    • Family Antilocapridae: Pronghorn
    • Family Bovidae: cattle, goats, sheep, and antelope