Giraffe vs parasitic copepod

Giraffa camelopardalis compared with Ergasilus sieboldi

Key Differences

• Giraffe is Vulnerable while parasitic copepod is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Giraffe	parasitic copepod
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Copepoda (Ruderfußkrebse)
Order	Artiodactyla (Paarhufer)	Cyclopoida (Cyclopoida)
Family	Giraffidae (Giraffes)	Ergasilidae
Genus	Giraffa (Giraffes)	Ergasilus
Species	Giraffa camelopardalis	Ergasilus sieboldi

Evolutionary Relationship

Giraffe and parasitic copepod share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Tier)

Conservation Status

Giraffe

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~117.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

parasitic copepod

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Giraffe	parasitic copepod
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	25 years	—
Average Length	5.5 m	—
Average Weight	1.2 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Giraffe

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

parasitic copepod

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries).

Giraffe

The tallest living animal on Earth, giraffes can reach 5.5 meters in height and weigh up to 1,750 kg. Their elongated necks — containing the same seven cervical vertebrae as all mammals — evolved for feeding on acacia trees in African savannas and woodlands. Social animals living in loose herds with no permanent bonds, giraffes communicate through infrasound and body language. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss and poaching.