In addition a few sons were sent to American colleges. Theodore Godet Heyliger (1790-1845) from a lithograph of Miss Maude Pandt â The founder of the Heyliger family in the West Indies was Guilliam Heyliger (died circa 1734) who evidently was on St. Eustatius by about 1670 when he married Anna Ryckwaert.n addition a few sons were sent to American colleges. Theodore Godet Heyliger (1790-1845) from a lithograph of Miss Maude Pandt â The founder of the Heyliger family in the West Indies was Guilliam Heyliger (died circa 1734) who evidently was on St. Eustatius by about 1670 when he married Anna Ryckwaert.
Giraffes reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age, although, in the wild, males may not breed until ages 6 or 7, due to a system of hierarchy among bulls. Breeding can occur at any time of the year. Gestation is usually 13-15 months.
Likelihood of Living to Adulthood. In most cases, giraffes are very social animals. A herd of about 40 giraffes is mostly composed of females and calves with several bulls, or male giraffes mixed in. The young male giraffes move together with the older males and are more solitary and love to live alone. While in captivity, a giraffe can live for about 28 years or even longer. Many giraffes do not make it into adulthood because more than half of all calves are killed by hyenas, lions, and other predators within the first year after birth.