45 million years ago (MYA) – The earliest known giraffoids, or animals closely related to giraffes, appear in the fossil record. These early giraffoids were small, deer-like animals with short necks.
30 MYA – The first true giraffes appear in the fossil record. These giraffes were about the size of modern giraffes, but they had shorter necks and legs.
20 MYA – Giraffes begin to develop longer necks and legs. This adaptation likely helped them to reach leaves and branches that were out of reach of other animals.
10 MYA – Giraffes become the dominant herbivores in Africa. They are now the tallest land animals on Earth.
Present day – There are four species of giraffe: the Masai giraffe, the reticulated giraffe, the northern giraffe, and the southern giraffe. Giraffes are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are a popular tourist attraction.