Giraffes can go several days without drinking, especially when they feed on moisture-rich acacia leaves. Their bodies are efficient at conserving water, which helps them cope with dry seasons in the African savanna.
However, giraffes are not camels. They still require regular access to fresh water to remain healthy, and prolonged dehydration can be dangerous. When water is available, they drink in a distinctive splayed-leg posture that makes them vulnerable to predators, so they tend to be cautious at waterholes.