SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS!

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS!!

We went Africa to meet one unique mammal on this Greatest Hits! Who’s excited? We are! This mammal has some very special adaptations to help them eat the leaves that others can’t! So let’s meet…

MEET THE GERENUK!

   Range/Habitat: East Africa/dry and bushy scrub

   Diet: Herbivore: leaves

   Length/Weight: 4 ½ -5 ¼ ft/62-115 lb

   Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Fun Facts:

• Gerenuks are part of the antelope family.
• They have long slender bodies, necks and small faces.
• Gerenuks can curve their spines into an S shape, which enables them to stand on their hind legs.
• Because they can stand on their hind legs, they can eat leaves that other animals can’t reach.
• Gerenuks are also called the giraffe gazelle.
• They have large ears and eyes that help them hear and see predators.
• Only male gerenuks have horns.
• They get all of their water supply from the leaves they eat, so they can survive in dry habitats.

Gerenuks are kind of funny looking with their long thin bodies and giant ears. We think it’s super cool that they can stand up on their hind legs to eat! What a neat adaptation!  They are called the giraffe gazelle, but they’re not related to the giraffe.