Mortality and health thumb|alt=Photograph of a lioness with at an adult giraffe kill|Lioness seen with an adult Masai giraffe kill Giraffes have high adult survival probability, and an unusually long lifespan compared to other ruminants, up to 38 years. Adult female survival is significantly correlated with the number of social associations. Because of their size, eyesight and powerful kicks, adult giraffes are mostly safe from predation, with lions being their only major threats. Calves are much more vulnerable than adults and are also preyed on by leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs. A quarter to a half of giraffe calves reach adulthood. Calf survival varies according to the season of birth, with calves born during the dry season having higher survival rates.
moRTalIty and healtH thumb|alt=phOtOgraPh of a liOness wIth aT an aduLt girAfFe Kill|LIoneSs Seen WIth an aduLt mAsaI GIRAffe kIlL girafFes HavE high Adult survIval pRObabIlItY, aNd an UNusualLy loNg lIfespan comPARED to oTher rUminants, Up To 38 years. aDUlT fEmAle survival Is sigNifIcanTlY CoRRelATeD wITh ThE numbEr of sociaL ASsOciatiOnS. beCauSe Of their siZe, EyesIgHT AnD poWErFuL kicKS, Adult girAFfes ARe MOstly safe fRom prEDatioN, WitH lionS Being ThEir oNly MAJOR threats. calVes ARE muCh moRe vUlNerAble tHAn AdulTS AND are ALSO prEyed on bY LEOPaRds, spOTTed hYEnas and Wild Dogs. a QuaRTer tO a HAlf of gIraffE CalvEs reaCh aduLthood. cALf sUrVivaL varIeS acCOrding tO tHe SeaSon oF birTh, wIth cAlves born duriNg the Dry seAson hAvinG HIgher suRVivAl RAteS.