Which of the following animals is the tallest living land animal in the world?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks about a very popular animal fact: which animal is the tallest living land animal. Such questions test basic zoological awareness and are frequently asked in competitive examinations and quizzes. Recognising the giraffe as the tallest land animal is part of fundamental general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is only on land animals, not birds or marine animals.
• Options include giraffe, camel, ostrich and “none.”
• We assume adult individuals of each species at typical maximum heights.

Concept / Approach:
Giraffes are well known for their extremely long necks and legs, which give them a height far exceeding that of other land animals. Adult male giraffes can reach heights over 5.5 metres. Camels are tall, but much shorter than giraffes, and ostriches, while tall birds, are still not as tall as giraffes. The approach is simply to recall the standard fact that giraffes hold this record.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the candidate animals: giraffe, camel and ostrich. Step 2: Recall that adult giraffes routinely stand between 4.5 and 5.5 metres tall or more. Step 3: Camels usually reach heights around 2 to 3 metres at the hump, significantly lower than giraffes. Step 4: Ostriches, although tall flightless birds, are roughly up to 2.5 to 3 metres in height, again less than giraffes. Step 5: Therefore, giraffe clearly qualifies as the tallest living land animal.

Verification / Alternative check:
Zoological sources and wildlife encyclopedias consistently list the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) as the tallest living terrestrial animal. Camels are described as large desert mammals but not record holders in height. Ostriches hold records for being the largest birds and the fastest running birds, not for height compared to mammals like giraffes. This confirms that giraffe is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Camel: Though tall and imposing, camels are much shorter than giraffes when measured from ground to top of the head or hump.
Ostrich: This is the largest and among the tallest birds but still significantly shorter than a full-grown giraffe.
None: This option is incorrect because there is a clear and widely accepted answer, which is the giraffe.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes learners confuse “largest” in terms of mass or wingspan with “tallest.” They may think of elephants or large birds, but elephants are very heavy and not as tall as giraffes, and birds like ostriches cannot reach giraffe height. Remember that “tallest land animal” specifically refers to standing height from feet to head, a record clearly held by giraffes.

Final Answer:
Thus, the tallest living land animal is the Giraffe.