>> Related: WATCH: April the giraffe to give birth at Animal Adventure Park in New York
While we wait for the new calf, here are some facts on giraffes:
- Calves are 6 feet tall when they are born.
- Male giraffes, such as April's partner, Oliver, may grow up to 18 feet tall.
- Female giraffes such as mother April, reach up to 14 feet in height.
- Giraffes only eat plants and use their long tongues to get leaves from trees.
- Their tongues are 21 inches long.
- A favorite food of giraffes come from the acacia tree.
- The necks of giraffes are shorter than their legs.
- Giraffes only need to drink once every few days, but if water is readily available they may drink more often.
- A giraffe pregnancy lasts about 15 months.
- Newborn calves fall about 5 feet to the ground upon birth.
- Within about 30 minutes of being born, calves are able to walk around. Within 10 hours, they can run with their mother.
- All giraffes have unique patterns; none are exactly alike.
- Both male and female giraffes have horns, which are actually ossicones that are made of cartilage and covered by skin.
- Giraffes have a lifespan of 25 years in the wild and can live longer in captivity.
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