The giraffe holds the title of the world’s tallest mammal, and its offspring begin life at an equally impressive scale. A newborn giraffe, called a calf, is a massive baby, entering the world already standing taller than most adult humans. This size is the result of an extended gestation period, which allows the calf to develop the strength and coordination needed for immediate survival in a predator-filled environment.
How Tall and Heavy Are Newborn Giraffes?
A giraffe calf is large at birth, typically measuring around 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. This height is necessary for the calf to reach the mother’s udder for nursing without the mother having to splay her legs awkwardly. The weight of a newborn calf generally falls within the range of 100 to 150 pounds (45 to 68 kilograms), though some reports suggest weights closer to 200 pounds.
The calf’s legs are disproportionately long, contributing to its towering initial height. These lengthy limbs are nearly the same length as an adult giraffe’s legs, giving the newborn the stride capability required to keep up with the herd. The calf’s horn-like structures, called ossicones, are present but lie flat against the head at birth, beginning to stand upright within a few hours or days.
The High-Impact Birth Process
The birth of a giraffe calf is a high-impact event because the mother remains standing during labor. This posture helps protect the mother from predators, but results in the calf having to drop a considerable distance upon delivery. The calf falls approximately 5 to 6 feet (2 meters) from the birth canal to the savanna floor.
This welcome is an adaptive mechanism for the calf’s survival. The force of the impact helps to break the umbilical cord and tear the amniotic sac. The sudden jolt of landing also stimulates the calf’s respiratory system, encouraging it to take its first independent breath. The calf is born with its front feet and head emerging first, a position that minimizes the chance of injury during the fall.
Immediate Survival Milestones
The newborn calf must achieve several milestones rapidly to ensure its survival against predators like lions and hyenas. Within minutes of birth, the mother nudges and licks the calf, encouraging it to stand up. The calf is typically able to stand on its long legs within 30 minutes to an hour after birth. This upright posture allows the calf to nurse and is the first step toward achieving mobility. The calf is often able to run effectively alongside the herd within a few hours, as immediate mobility is the primary defense mechanism against predators.
Early Growth and Weaning
Following the initial burst of development, the giraffe calf continues to grow at an exceptional rate during its first year. Calves can gain up to 8 inches in height within the first month, often nearly doubling their birth height by their first birthday. The calf relies on its mother’s milk, typically nursing for 9 to 12 months. The young giraffe begins to experiment with solid foods, such as leaves and shoots, around four months of age. Weaning, the complete transition from milk to a diet of browsing vegetation, is a gradual process that can take place anywhere from six months up to 15 months of age.