Giraffe vs. Zebra — What's the Difference?

A tall mammal with a long neck and legs, adapted for browsing on high trees.

A wild equine known for its distinctive black-and-white striped coat.

Lives in loosely structured social groups.

Has a gestation period of about a year, producing one foal.

Known for its unique coat patterns that vary with the subspecies.

Feeds primarily on grasses in various African habitats.

Classified as vulnerable due to decreasing populations.

Forms stable family groups led by a stallion.

Inhabits African savannas and woodlands.

Conservation status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered.

The giraffe (Giraffa) is an African artiodactyl mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. It is traditionally considered to be one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies.

Zebras (UK: , US: ) (subgenus Hippotigris) are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. There are three extant species: the Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), plains zebra (E. quagga), and the mountain zebra (E. zebra).

A large African mammal with a very long neck and forelegs, having a coat patterned with brown patches separated by lighter lines. It is the tallest living animal.

Any of several swift African mammals of the genus Equus, resembling the horse and having distinctive overall markings of alternating white and black or brown stripes.

An African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) having a very long neck and legs, a tan coat with orange-brown to black blotches, and short horns. It is the tallest land animal, often reaching a height of 5 meters (16 feet).

Any of various striped organisms, such as a zebrafish.

A ruminant, of the genus Giraffa, of the African savannah with long legs and highly elongated neck, which make it the tallest living animal; yellow fur patterned with dark spots, often in the form of a network; and two or more short, skin-covered horns, so-called; strictly speaking the horn-like projections are ossicones.

A referee in football.

A giraffe unicycle.

Any of three species of subgenus Hippotigris: E. grevyi, E. quagga, or E. zebra, all with black and white stripes and native to Africa.

(Cockney rhyming slang) A laugh.

A referee.

A very tall individual.

An unlikely diagnosis, especially for symptoms probably caused by a common ailment. (Originates in the advice often given to medical students: "when you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras".)

An African ruminant (Giraffa camelopardalis formerly Camelopardalis giraffa) related to the deers and antelopes, but placed in a family (Giraffidae) by itself; the camelopard. It is the tallest of quadriped animals, being sometimes twenty feet from the hoofs to the top of the head. Its neck is very long, and its fore legs are much longer than its hind legs. There are three types, having different patterns of spots on the pelt and different territories: the Reticulated Giraffe, the Masai Giraffe, and the Uganda Giraffe. Intermediate crosses are also observed.

A biracial person, specifically one born to a member of the Sub-Saharan African race and a Caucasian.

Tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa

(informal) A fish, the zebra cichlid.

Any of various papilionid butterflies of the subgenus Paranticopsis of the genus Graphium, having black and white markings.

A zebra crossing.

Any member of three species of African wild horses remarkable for having the body white or yellowish white, and conspicuously marked with dark brown or brackish bands.

Any of several fleet black-and-white striped African equines

Zebra stripes may serve several purposes, including camouflage, confusing predators, and regulating body temperature.

Giraffes have long necks and legs that enable them to reach high foliage, primarily from acacia trees.

Giraffes have a fluid social structure, with individuals joining and leaving groups without fixed bonds.

Giraffes live in the savannas and open woodlands of Africa.

Zebras primarily eat grasses.

Conservation efforts for giraffes include habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and raising public awareness.

The gestation period for a giraffe is about 15 months.

Both giraffes and zebras give birth to one offspring at a time, which are quick to stand and become mobile.

Zebras have a gestation period of approximately 12 to 14 months.

Giraffes face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, leading to their vulnerable status.

Zebras form stable family groups or harems, with strong social bonds, led by a single stallion.

Yes, giraffes and zebras can both be found in African savannas and sometimes share habitats.

Zebras are protected through habitat conservation, legal protection, and efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

Zebra species vary in conservation status; the plains zebra is relatively abundant, while the Grevy's zebra and the mountain zebra are more at risk.

Giraffes are distinguished by their height and long necks, while zebras are unique for their black-and-white striped coats.