About the Author

Pete Thorpe

Alumni Ranger

Pete was a Field Guide for Londolozi for 4 years, contributing to the blog as a fantastic writer as well as photographer. Right from his very first bush trip at the age of four, Pete was always enthralled by this environment. Having grown ...

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20 Comments

on Did You Know That Giraffes Eat Bones?

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Allan Salkinder
Explorer

I have seen giraffe , on more than one occasion adopting exactly the same stance and method when eating pods from a sausage tree

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

Very interesting and well explained. And cool pictures, especially the video clip at the beginning of the article.

Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Interesting blog Pete.

Nicole Bernhardt
Senior Digital Ranger

Great blog today Pete, thank you. That is definitely something I didn’t know and I always appreciate learning something new, I’ll certainly look out for it in the future.

Francesca Doria
Master Tracker

I watched a documentary on Ruaha: over there there was a lion pride that killed giraffes. When an individual found a co specific bones it observed it slowly, sniffed at them, turned them up and down. Perhaps it realized it was one of its species… who knows. It actually didn’t chewed it but showed interests – alike you see in elephants, hippos, cheetah and lions etc. Also hares in winter time sometimes eat co specific bodies in order to get minerals and other nutrients; for the same reason deer sometimes eat small birds .Very interesting, I truly admire and love giraffe. Thanks for the news on these amazing animals.

Mary Beth Wheeler
Master Tracker

Thanks for the new information, Pete. I never knew this or saw the behavior. Instinct is amazing!

Kara Taylor
Master Tracker

Interesting read. I would live more posts about giraffes, I feel like know little about them but find them super interesting.

Cally Staniland
Master Tracker

Fascinating Pete but certainly makes sense. Had to laugh at the thought of a giraffe eating a giraffe bone though ! Thanks again 🙏🏻💕

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

I’ve found this a fascinating addition to their diet. One would suppose its augmenting their calcium level but I never considered phosphorus. I’ve seen this once in SabiSand…..

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Pete, I did know that giraffes eat bones🤗

Val Hattan
Explorer

what sort of teeth do they have !?

Leonie De Young
Master Tracker

A very interesting blog Pete, thank you for sharing. You certainly do learn something every day until the day you die. I didn’t know that about giraffes, but it does make sense because of their extremely large skeletal system and poor nourishment in the winter months. Thanks again. Take care, be well and stay safe evryone.

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

Was this on the ground in Londolozi called Ilkley Moor Bah Tat ?

You will have to look it up , though many British guests will understand

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Wow, this is utterly fascinating! Brilliant how nature, in this case, giraffes, intuitively know how to get the nutrients they need to survive, and hopefully, thrive! Thanks Pete!

Cheung Yc
Digital Ranger

Wow that is bug news,thanks for the sharing

Michael and Terri Klauber
Master Tracker

Pete, Thanks for the education! We have never seen that happen, but your explanation makes perfect sense!

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

I have seen giraffes eating bones, but I thought it was the calcium they needed. Never thought of Phosphorus. Thanks for the explanation, Pete! Wendy M

Callum Evans
Master Tracker

I think I witnessed this once in Botswana.

Sam Lovett
Explorer

Thank you

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

very powerful and enlightening giraffe presentation.appreciated

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