Baby elephants drink milk, relying on it as their sole source of sustenance for the first few months of life. Female elephants produce milk to nourish their young, known as calves, immediately following birth. The newborn calf, weighing between 91 and 165 kilograms, must stand and locate the mother’s mammary glands within an hour of being born. This immediate dependency initiates one of the longest and most complex periods of parental care found in the animal kingdom. Nursing is fundamental to the calf’s survival and shapes the social structure of the elephant herd.
The Primary Source of Nutrition
The elephant’s milk is uniquely formulated to meet the demanding growth rate of the largest land mammal. The mother’s two mammary glands are located pectorally, positioned between her forelegs, similar to humans. This placement requires the mother to shift her stance, often moving a leg forward to allow the calf easy access to the teat. Since the newborn calf’s trunk is still too short, it nurses directly with its mouth.
The composition of elephant milk is considerably richer than that of many other species. It contains a high concentration of fat and protein, which provides the necessary energy for the calf’s rapid initial development. Conversely, the milk has a relatively low sugar content compared to bovine or human milk. The nutritional profile changes throughout the duration of lactation, with fat and protein levels often increasing as the calf ages. A calf typically consumes around 10 liters daily during the first four months.
The Extended Nursing Period
Elephant calves exhibit one of the most prolonged nursing periods among all mammals, reflecting their slow rate of growth and extended lifespan. This period of dependency ensures the calf receives continuous nutrition and protection while it learns the complex social and survival behaviors required for life in the wild. While the calf begins to experiment with solid foods relatively early, milk remains a major source of energy for years. Weaning is a gradual process that can last between two and four years.
During the initial months, nursing occurs frequently, often 10 to 15 times a day, with each bout lasting only a short time. This extended reliance on the mother’s milk is directly connected to the elephant’s delayed physical and sexual maturity, which can take well over a decade to achieve. The long-term nutritional support from the mother is tied to the calf’s overall fitness and ability to eventually reproduce.
Transitioning to Solid Foods and Herd Support
The transition from a purely milk-based diet to a full herbivorous one begins surprisingly early, even though the weaning process is slow. Calves start to mouth and chew on grasses and leaves around four to six months of age, practicing the motor skills needed to manipulate food with their growing trunks. A crucial step in this dietary shift is the consumption of adult elephant dung, a behavior known as coprophagia.
This action is not for nutrition but for the transfer of beneficial gut bacteria, or microflora, which are absent in the sterile digestive system of a newborn. Consuming the feces of their mother or other herd members is the only way for the calf to acquire the microbes necessary to break down plant cellulose, allowing them to eventually digest the tough vegetation that forms the adult diet.
Furthermore, the calf’s social development is heavily supported by other females in the herd, known as allomothers, who provide guidance and protection. This group care reinforces the tight-knit social structure and improves the overall survival rate of the young. This care can include allosuckling, where a calf nurses from a lactating female other than its mother.