Can giraffes lie down?

Question

If yes, how do they stand up?

Answer 1

funny you should ask that question, Iv was reading the info on them when i was stood watching them in the zoo today. Yes they can lie down on there sides but only for 20 mins at a time, its pritty enough the same as when they sleep, they can only do that for roughly the same leangth of time. When they get up they use there long neck's as balance, by throughing there necks in the direction they wish to get up in helps them to upright there body.

Answer 2

Can Giraffes Lie Down

Answer 3

Quite a few larger four legged animals sleep while standing up, including horses and more importantly giraffes. I've heard that in horses they may lie down for a few minutes, but after that their organs get squashed and may stop breathing. Not all animals need to lie down while sleeping. Some are still able to hold their bodies up even asleep, which is a trait humans don't have because we don't need it.

Answer 4

Yes giraffes lie down. Night is mostly spent Iying down ruminating, especially hours after dark and before dawn.Check out this photo of lying down giraffe.http://www.flickr.com/photos/josalmon/155663690/in/photostream/
How they stand up: stretches up the 2 front legs first slowly, controlling balance of their neck and body as the body rises slowly and hind legs are stretched along. They stand the same like any other 4 legged big animals do but just with extra balance on their necks.♥

Answer 5

Yes, they can, and I have seen them lying down in Tanzania, whole groups of them. However they do so only in an area where there are no trees in which predators will lie in wait, so it is usually in a flat, plain area. And at the same time, they will do so only in the company of baboons -- which will alert them to a predator like a leopard, lion or hyena. (As a little side interest, they will not lay down to give birth.... they are usually alone, and it is too risky. So the baby has a 6 foot drop to the ground as the beginning of its life.)

I've not seen one try to get up -- they have two choices --- rear end first like cows and other cloven hoofed animals, for front end first, like horses.

Answer 6

Yes, i seen them lie down they kind of bend their legs until they reach the ground and then the reverse to stand up. It's hard to explain try going to a zoo or something and have a look.

Answer 7

giraffes do not lie down and if they do their weight tends to put pressure on their hearts.The animals cannot get up again without human intervention and even this has a very limited success rate

Answer 8

Yes they do lie down. get up the same as a cow, rear end first.

Answer 9

No they cannot, to much strain on the heart, Who remembers Victor from years ago. Made the news every day for a week or so if I remember correctly.

Answer 10

I didnt think they did..They sleep standing up. To take a drink of water, they spread theit legs out to the side as far as they need to, to reach the water.