Giraffe identification

Distinguish giraffe by their coat patterns

Foster (1966) found that the coat pattern is a unique characteristic which does not change with age.

Foster used the left side of the neck in combination with sex and age for individual ID.

The horn-like protrusions on the skull (Ossicones) are also used to determine the sex.

Cows (top pictures) have thin horns which are tufted and hairy in younger females.

Bulls (bottom pictures) have thicker, knobbed horns, with the horn tips hairless. They also have a protrusions on their forehead.