Giraffes are among the most recognizable animals, known for their towering presence. The arrival of a baby giraffe, known as a calf, is notable for its astonishing size at birth and immediate need for mobility, which sets the foundation for their impressive growth journey.
Newborn Giraffe Height
A newborn giraffe calf stands around 6 feet (1.8 to 1.9 meters) tall, a height comparable to an average adult human. They weigh between 100 to 200 pounds (45 to 90 kilograms). Mother giraffes give birth while standing upright, meaning the calf experiences a fall of approximately 5 to 6 feet (2 meters) to the ground. This helps to break the umbilical cord and amniotic sac, stimulating the calf’s first breath.
Within 30 minutes to an hour of being born, a giraffe calf attempts to stand on its long, wobbly legs. This rapid development of coordination is a survival mechanism, enabling them to quickly follow their mother and the herd to avoid predators. The small, horn-like structures on their heads, called ossicones, are folded flat at birth to facilitate passage through the birth canal and begin to stand upright within hours.
Rapid Growth in Early Life
The growth of a baby giraffe during its initial months and years is rapid. In their first week of life, calves can grow by nearly an inch (2.5 centimeters) each day. This rapid increase in height continues, with young giraffes often doubling their birth height within their first year, reaching up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall.
A significant portion of this early growth contributes to the lengthening of their neck, which is not proportionally as long at birth as it will be in adulthood. For the first four to six months, calves rely solely on their mother’s milk for nourishment, though they may continue to nurse for up to 9 to 12 months. Around four months of age, they begin to supplement their diet by sampling low-growing shoots and leaves. Mothers are sometimes observed pulling down branches to allow their calves to access different types of foliage.
Journey to Adulthood
Giraffes achieve their mature height by about four years of age. While their vertical growth largely concludes by this point, giraffes continue to gain weight and muscle mass, reaching full body maturity around seven or eight years old.
Adult male giraffes typically stand between 16 to 18 feet (4.8 to 5.5 meters) tall, while females are slightly shorter, ranging from 14 to 16 feet (4.3 to 4.8 meters). Their legs alone can measure about 6 feet long. This impressive stature provides them with a distinct advantage in their habitat, allowing them to browse on leaves and vegetation inaccessible to most other herbivores.