Calves enter the world with an immediate need for nourishment. Their early development relies on mother’s milk for rapid growth. This feeding process highlights the intricate adaptations that allow them to thrive.
The Nursing Mechanism
Despite prominent trunks, calves do not use them for nursing. A calf’s trunk is still developing at birth, lacking the control needed for drinking. Instead, the calf curls its trunk upwards and over its head, allowing direct access to its mother’s teats with its mouth.
Female elephants have two mammary glands located between their front legs, similar to the chest area in humans. This forward placement is an evolutionary adaptation that makes it easier for the calf to reach the teats while standing. A newborn calf, which can weigh around 90-120 kilograms (200-264 pounds) and stand about 1 meter (3 feet) tall, is able to reach these teats shortly after birth.
The calf latches onto a teat, using a strong sucking reflex to draw milk. This action is instinctive and provides both nutrition and comfort. While nursing, the calf may also touch the mother’s underside with its trunk, a behavior that offers reassurance. This physical interaction is an important part of the early bonding experience between mother and calf.
Duration and Weaning
Calves typically nurse for an extended period, ranging from two to six years. This long phase provides consistent nutrition as the calf grows. Initially, milk is their sole source of sustenance. Calves drink a substantial amount of milk daily, with some consuming up to 10-12 liters (21-25 pints).
Around four to six months, calves begin experimenting with solid foods like grasses and leaves. This marks a gradual transition, though milk remains a significant part of their diet. Weaning is a slow, natural process, not an abrupt cessation.
Even as they become more proficient at foraging, milk provides essential nutrients and energy for several years. The weaning process can take several years, sometimes concluding when the mother gives birth to another calf or the calf’s emerging tusks make nursing uncomfortable. This prolonged period ensures the calf receives adequate nourishment while its digestive system adapts to a plant-based diet.
The Mother’s Role and Support
The mother elephant actively facilitates nursing. She often positions herself by spreading her front legs or lowering her body to make her teats easily accessible, ensuring the calf can comfortably reach the milk source. The milk itself is rich in fat and protein, providing the dense energy required for the calf’s rapid growth.
Elephant milk also contains antibodies, protecting the calf’s immune system from infections in its early life. Beyond direct nourishment, the mother provides constant guidance, protection, and comfort. She remains in close proximity to her calf, especially during its first few months, offering reassurance through touch.
Other female elephants in the herd, known as alloparenting “aunts,” contribute to the calf’s well-being. They help protect the calf, allowing the mother to nurse safely and sometimes permitting comfort suckling from non-lactating individuals. This communal care reinforces the social bonds within the herd and supports the mother in raising her young.