- Susan Shimeld
_Wildlife Artist and Natural History Illustrator




-Giraffe Portrait

© Susan Shimeld

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As giraffes can reach a height of 15ft-18ft we rarely have the opportunity to see one face to face. I wanted to portray this chap - his curious watchful expression appealed to me as he towered above the bushes, nibbling the vegetation. My Giraffe painting is an oil painting on canvas.

This giraffe was in the Moremi Game Reserve which occupies part of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Moremi was the first wildlife sanctuary created by an African tribe, namely the BaTawana, in 1963. As there is little poaching, the game are very relaxed in the presence of people and carry on going about their business while you look on.

Giraffes have an an exceptionally long neck and a keen sense of hearing and sight. The giraffe has the advantage of being able to scan the widest area in order to spot hidden predators. Majestic and leisurely in movement, the long legged giraffe prefers dry open country covered with bush and acacia and occasionally will venture into lightly wooded forest.

Preyed upon by lions a giraffe can escape danger by galloping at up to 35 m.p.h. and if threatened can deliver a hefty kick with its forelegs. Males will only kick-out at predators. When sparring with each other they use a technique known as 'necking'. Each giraffe will lower its head and swing it at the opponent's head or body. The blows can be very heavy and heard some distance away. The impact may be so violent as to break or injure the opponents spinal column but once the contestants begin swaying their necks they are unable to take precise aim and it is relatively simple for evasive action to be taken. One of the rivals usually surrenders before any great damage is done.

These graceful creatures have found a niche in which they can live quite contentedly. Using a long flexible prehensile tongue giraffes eat the nutritious leaves at the tops of the trees. With well developed mobile lips they tear off the twigs, fruit and the prickliest shoots without having to compete with other herbivores.

From the sale of my wildlife art, my oil painting, 'Giraffe Portrait' and with the sale of each Giraffe Fine Art Print and Greetings Card, a donation is given to charity.

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----------------------All Artwork, Images & Content © Susan Shimeld. 2002. All rights reserved.