The giraffe belongs to the phylum Chordata. This phylum includes all animals that have a notochord at some stage of their development. The notochord is a flexible, rod-shaped body that provides support in the embryonic stage. In many chordates, including giraffes, the notochord is replaced by the vertebral column (spine) as the animal matures.
Giraffes are further classified within the Chordata phylum into the class Mammalia, which includes all mammals. Mammals are characterized by the presence of hair or fur and the ability to produce milk to feed their young. Giraffes, like all mammals, have these characteristics.
In summary, the giraffe is a member of the phylum Chordata, which encompasses a wide range of animals with a notochord, and it is also part of the class Mammalia, which includes all mammals.