In Africa the trees are shaped differently because of the leaves that the Giraffes eat.

The giraffe is a cud-chewing mammal. Giraffes are ruminants, with a 4-chambered stomach, which means they regurgitate their food and chew it again.

They are highly selective browsers, feeding, primarily on a variety of Acacia and Combretum Trees. The thorns on these trees are shaped enough to puncture a car tire! Over a hundred different species may be eaten, depending on what is seasonally available. Although, mostly leaves and shoots are taken, giraffes also eat flowers, vines and herbs. Giraffes have been seen eating weaverbird nests with the young hatchlings inside, and have been known to chew on bones, perhaps to gain additional minerals.

As a ruminant, the giraffe may swallow a great deal of leaves to store in the first compartment of its stomach, known as the "rumen."  After the food is softened up, it is regurgitated, and chewed before it is swallowed again. This allows the giraffe to watch for danger while chewing its cud.

After being swallowed, for the second time, the food passes through the second, third and finally, the fourth compartment. The most digestive activity takes place in the fourth compartment called the "abomasum."
 
 

Oxpeckers or tickbirds may land on a giraffe and search for ticks or insect pests to eat.   The giraffes' tongue is quite coarse and is used for grooming.  An average of 16-20 hours per day are spent feeding, and up to 140 lbs. of fresh foods are eaten daily. Thorns do not seem to be a deterrent to feeding.  The pink and black long, prehensile (like hands), muscular, coarse tongue (which can be extended up to 24+ inches), thick, gluey saliva, and special upper palate shape enable the giraffe to process thorny foods.***page 1