Animals with long legs include Alaska Moose, Alpaca, American Bison, Black-Necked Stilt, and Camel.
Do you know which animal has the longest legs in the world? Believe it or not, it’s the giraffe.
Giraffes have incredibly long legs that help them move quickly and gracefully through the African savanna.
Other animals with long legs include deer, antelopes, and horses. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most interesting creatures with long legs!
Examples of Animals with Long Legs
From giraffes to horses, animals with long legs can be found all over the world. These creatures use their lengthy limbs for a variety of purposes, including running, jumping, and climbing.
While they may seem graceful and powerful, these animals are also susceptible to injury. By understanding the benefits and drawbacks of having long legs, we can better appreciate these creatures for what they are.
1. Alaska Moose
| Scientific Name | Alces alces gigas |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | northern forests of North America, Europe, and Russia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Alaska moose is the largest member of the deer family and can weigh up to 1500 pounds.
They are well-adapted to cold climates, with long legs that help them walk through deep snow. Their diet consists mostly of willow and birch leaves, which they can reach even when the branches are high up in the trees.
2. Alpaca
| Scientific Name | Vicugna pacos |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Colombia and Ecuador south to northern Chile and northern Argentina |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The alpaca is a domesticated creature that lives in the Andes Mountains of South America. These animals have very long legs, which help them to run quickly and jump high fences. Alpacas are used for their wool, meat, and hides.
3. American Bison
| Scientific Name | Bison bison |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Yellowstone National Park or Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The American bison is a large, hoofed mammal that lives in North America. These animals have long legs that help them run quickly and jump over obstacles. Bison use their horns for defense and to move trees and other objects. They eat grasses, leaves, buds, and flowers.
4. Black-Necked Stilt
| Scientific Name | Himantopus mexicanus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | coastal southern California and western Mexico |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The black-necked stilt is a long-legged wader that can be found in marshes, lakes, and other wetlands throughout the United States. These birds use their long legs to hunt for food in the water, as well as to run from predators. They are identifiable by a black mark that runs down the back of their neck.
5. Camel
| Scientific Name | Camelus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | desert areas in North Africa and the Middle East |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The camel is a large, sturdy creature that can be found in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. Camels have long legs which allow them to travel long distances through the desert without needing to drink water for days at a time.
They also use their legs to jump over obstacles in their path. Camels are able to go for long periods of time without food, too; they mainly eat plants that can be found in the desert.
Related Article: How Much Does a Camel Cost?
6. Cape Buffalo
| Scientific Name | Syncerus caffer |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Cape buffalo is a large herbivore that can weigh up to two thousand pounds. It has two horns on its head and long, powerful legs that help it run quickly.
The cape buffalo lives in Africa and mainly eats grasses, but it can also digest thorny bushes without any problems. Despite its impressive size and strength, the Cape buffalo is actually quite gentle and rarely attacks humans.
7. Cassowaries
| Scientific Name | Casuarius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Northern Australia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The cassowary is a large, flightless bird that can be found in the rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. These birds have long legs and necks, as well as a distinctive crest on their heads.
They use their legs to run quickly through the forest, looking for food such as fruit, insects, and small animals. They can also use their legs to jump up to six feet in the air to catch prey. Cassowaries are important for dispersing seeds in the rainforest, as they eat fruit and then spread the seeds through their droppings.
8. Elephants
| Scientific Name | Loxodonta |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa and Asia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They have two large ivory tusks that they use for digging, fighting, and gathering food. Their trunk is also very versatile, allowing them to pick up objects, drink water, and communicate with other elephants.
Elephants are able to travel long distances thanks to their long legs; in fact, they can cover up to thirty miles in a single day. They live in Africa and Asia.
9. Emu
| Scientific Name | Dromaius novaehollandiae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Australia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The emu is a large, flightless bird that ranges in size from 95 to 120 cm (37 to 47 in) tall and weighs anywhere from 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb). They have long legs, which they use for running and jumping.
Emus live in open areas across Australia and eat a variety of plants and animals. They are preyed upon by dingoes, dogs, Tasmanian devils, and birds of prey. The emu is a popular game bird and its meat is considered a delicacy.
10. Gerenuk
| Scientific Name | Litocranius walleri |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the dry savannahs of East Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The gerenuk is a long-necked antelope that ranges in size from 95 to 120 cm (37 to 47 in) tall and weighs anywhere from 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb). They have long legs, which they use for running and jumping.
Gerenuks live in open areas across Africa and eat a variety of plants. They are preyed upon by lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs. Gerenuks are not hunted commercially, but their meat is considered a delicacy by some people.
11. Giraffe
| Scientific Name | Giraffa |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Open woodlands in East Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The giraffe is the tallest land animal on Earth, ranging in height from 14 feet tall and weighing up to 850 kg (1500 lb). They have long legs, which they use for running and jumping.
Giraffes live in open areas across Africa and eat a variety of plants. They are preyed upon by lions, leopards, hyenas, and crocodiles. Giraffes are a popular tourist attraction and their meat is considered a delicacy.
12. Greater Rhea
| Scientific Name | Rhea americana |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southeastern South America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The greater rhea is a large, flightless bird that ranges in size from 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) tall and weighs anywhere from 33 and 66 pounds (15 and 30. They have long legs, which they use for running and jumping.
Greater rheas live in open areas across South America and eat a variety of plants and animals. They are preyed upon by foxes, jaguars, cougars, and birds of prey. The greater rhea is a popular game bird and its meat is considered a delicacy.
13. Hippopotamus
| Scientific Name | Hippopotamus amphibius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | East Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The hippopotamus is a large, aquatic mammal that ranges in size from 5.2 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs between 3,500 to 9,920 lbs. They have long legs, which they use for running on land and swimming.
Hippos live in Africa near rivers and lakes and eat mostly plants. They are preyed upon by lions, crocodiles, and hyenas. Hippos are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
14. Japanese Spider Crab
| Scientific Name | Macrocheira kaempferi |
| Type of Animal | Malacostracan |
| Range | Pacific Ocean |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Japanese spider crab is one of the largest arthropods in the world, with a leg span of up to 12 feet. These crabs live in cold waters near Japan and Korea, where they use their long legs to scavenge for food on the ocean floor.
Despite their large size, Japanese spider crabs have not been considered a threat to humans.
15. Long Eared Jerboa
| Scientific Name | Euchoreutes naso |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the deserts of northwest China and southern Mongolia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The long-eared jerboa is a small rodent found in the deserts of North Africa and Southwest Asia. It has very long legs, which it uses for running and jumping. The long-eared jerboa can jump up to six feet in the air, making it a formidable predator or prey. It also uses its long legs to climb trees, allowing it to escape predators or find food.
The long-eared jerboa is a small creature, typically weighing only a few ounces. It has brown fur and a long tail. It feeds on insects, which it finds by running and jumping around in the desert sands. The long-eared jerboa is also known to eat seeds and other plant matter.
16. Octopus
| Scientific Name | Octopoda |
| Type of Animal | Cephalopod |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The octopus is a cephalopod found in all the world’s oceans. It has eight long arms, which it uses to catch prey and move around. The octopus can also use its arms to jet propel itself through the water, allowing it to travel quickly and escape predators.
The octopus is a predatory animal, feeding mainly on fish and crustaceans. It has a beak-like mouth, which it uses to tear its prey apart. The octopus is a very intelligent animal, known for its ability to solve problems and escape traps.
17. Ostrich
| Scientific Name | Struthio camelus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world, and it has very long legs. These legs allow the ostrich to run up to 43 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest animals on land. The ostrich also uses its legs to defend itself from predators, kicking them with its powerful claws.
The ostrich is a herbivore, feeding mainly on plants and insects. It lives in Africa and South America, where it can be found in open grasslands and deserts. The ostrich is a social animal, living in flocks of up to 100 birds.
18. Red Kangaroo
| Scientific Name | Macropus rufus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Australia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world. It ranges in size from 95 to 165 cm (37 to 65 in) tall and weighs from 18 to 90 kg (40 to 198 lb). It has long legs, which it uses for hopping.
The red kangaroo is found across Australia and eats mostly grasses, but also some shrubs and trees. They are preyed upon by dingoes, dogs, Tasmanian devils, and birds of prey. The red kangaroo is a popular game animal and its meat is considered a delicacy.
19. Sea Spider
| Scientific Name | Pantopoda |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | the ocean worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The sea spider is a small arthropod found in the oceans of the world. It has long legs, which it uses to swim and catch prey. The sea spider can also use its legs to jet propel itself through the water, allowing it to travel quickly and escape predators.
Sea spiders are carnivorous animals, feeding mainly on small crustaceans. They have a venomous bite, which they use to kill their prey. Sea spiders are also known to eat dead and decaying matter, making them important in the marine food web.
20. Secretary Bird
| Scientific Name | Sagittarius serpentarius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The secretary bird is a large, predatory bird found in Africa. It has very long legs, which it uses for running and hunting prey. It also uses its long legs to stand on top of prey, killing it with its sharp talons.
The secretary bird is a large bird, typically reaching heights of four feet. It has black and white feathers, with a long tail. It feeds mainly on small animals, such as rodents, lizards, and insects. The secretary bird is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population.
21. Shire Horse
| Scientific Name | Equus caballus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | England |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The shire horse is a large draft horse found in the United Kingdom. It has very long legs, which it uses for pulling heavy loads. The shire horse is bred for its strength and size and can weigh up to two thousand pounds.
The shire horse is used mainly for working on farms or pulling carriages. It is a calm and gentle horse, known for its good temperament. Shire horses are also very long-lived, often living into their twenties.
22. Spider Monkey
| Scientific Name | Ateles |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern South America in areas north of the Amazon River |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The spider monkey is a tropical mammal found in Central and South America. It has long legs, which it uses for running and jumping through the trees. The spider monkey can leap up to 29 feet from one tree to another, making it one of the most agile animals in the jungle.
The spider monkey is a herbivore, feeding mainly on fruit and leaves. It has a very versatile diet, allowing it to survive in the dense rainforest canopy. The spider monkey is also known for its intelligence, being one of the few animals that can use tools.
23. White Rhinoceros
| Scientific Name | Ceratotherium simum |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | South Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The white rhinoceros is a large herbivore found in Africa. It has two long horns, which it uses for defense and to attract mates. The white rhinoceros can reach speeds of up to 34 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest land animals in the world.
The white rhinoceros is a grazer, feeding mainly on grasses. It can consume up to 120 pounds of food per day.
The white rhinoceros lives in herds, which it uses for protection from predators. The white rhinoceros is listed as critically endangered, with only about 18,000 remaining in the wild.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.