While most people would turn their noses up at the idea of lettuce as a treat, for the National Zoo and Aquarium's resident bachelor giraffe Hummer, it's just the perfect thing.
With celebrations for his 19th birthday held on Saturday, Hummer got to tuck in to a special birthday box of lettuce, carrots and celery.
A crowd of onlookers braved the morning's cold weather to join in Hummer's celebrations, as the birthday boy happily ate carrots from the hands of one of his keepers, Katie Ness.
Ms Ness, a senior wildlife keeper at the zoo, said giraffes, just like people or their pets, had plenty of personality and could be very different from each other.
"So Hummer, he's quite strong-headed, he can have a bit of an attitude with people when he wants to," Ms Ness said.
"Us, as his keepers, he's usually pretty good with, but he can have a bit of an attitude with some of the guides and stuff that have to also do feeds with him."
Hummer arrived at the zoo from South Australia about a decade ago.
Giraffes kept in captivity are expected to live between 20 and 25 years, Ms Ness said on Saturday.
Hummer is a big giraffe, weighing about 1300 kilograms and standing more than 5.5 metres tall.
"Just recently a giraffe in Queensland got the Guinness Book of Records, he was 5.7 metres. So Hummer's just short, just shy on what [the record holder] is," Ms Ness said.
She said giraffes grew quickly, reaching their full size by the time they turn three.
"Babies, when they're born, are about six feet tall and they shoot up really, really quickly," Ms Ness said.
Although Hummer has never sired a baby, he has a new companion in another giraffe, Skye, a six-year-old who arrived at the zoo earlier this year.
Not one to miss out, Skye also received some treats on Saturday morning.
Skye was less enthusiastic about the special box, leaving Hummer with an opportunity to crane his neck over and enjoy even more fresh vegetables.
"He loves it, as you can see. ... [Hummer] will work for pellets and carrots and lettuce," Ms Ness said.
The zoo, which received federal government support to keep operating, reopened in late May with social distancing measures in place.
