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Maasai giraffe in Maasai Mara, Kenya
A shadow on stilts
If this Maasai giraffe wasn't silhouetted by the sunset, we'd be seeing its telltale spots – a jagged, leaflike pattern unlike the smooth-edged tessellations pasted upon most giraffes. While all giraffes are technically classed as subspecies of Giraffa camelopardalis, the Maasai giraffe's genetics are distinct enough that some scientists say it should be its own species. Recent research shows more DNA diversity among giraffes than once thought, suggesting the Giraffa genus should include up to eight full-fledged species, not just one.
A shadow on stilts
If this Maasai giraffe wasn't silhouetted by the sunset, we'd be seeing its telltale spots – a jagged, leaflike pattern unlike the smooth-edged tessellations pasted upon most giraffes. While all giraffes are technically classed as subspecies of Giraffa camelopardalis, the Maasai giraffe's genetics are distinct enough that some scientists say it should be its own species. Recent research shows more DNA diversity among giraffes than once thought, suggesting the Giraffa genus should include up to eight full-fledged species, not just one.
While named for this region in Kenya, the Maasai giraffe is also Tanzania's national animal.
© Darrell Gulin / The Image Bank / Getty Images 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :