GIRAFFE: Giraffe eyes sit higher than any other animal's. Only those that climb or fly can get a better view of their surroundings than the giraffe. This elongated cousin of the deer can reach 17 feet or more in height. Up there, it busies itself with the leaves and shoots of thorny acacia and combretum trees, browsing for up to 20 hours a day with its specialized tongue. This muscular, prehensile organ can extend up to 18 inches, past sharp, pointy thorns, to "grasp" delicious leaves and pull them into the giraffe's mouth. While browsing, the giraffe watches for predators with its enormous eyes — the largest of any land animal. It has extreme long-range vision, which allows it to see objects several miles away in sharp detail. It can easily spot a moving lion, hyena or other predator, as well as communicate with other giraffes several miles away. If threatened, the giraffe can run up to 35 mph on its extremely long, muscular legs.