Animals->Giraffe The Somali Giraffe , or more commonly known as Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata ), is a subspecies of giraffe native to Somalia , northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia . Reticulated giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe subspecies in captivity or if they come into contact with populations of other subspecies in the wild. _x000D_ The reticulated giraffe is among the most well-known of the nine giraffe subspecies , and together with the Rothschild giraffe it is by far the giraffe most commonly seen in zoos . Its coat consists of large, polygonal liver-colored spots outlined by a network of bright white lines. The blocks may sometimes appear deep red and may also cover the legs. The extraordinary height of giraffes is attributed to a ritual known as "necking" where two males fight for reproduction rights by slamming their necks into one another. The giraffes with the tallest and strongest necks are victorious and allowed to reproduce, thus passing these genes on to future generations. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.