The giraffe is the world’s tallest land animal, immediately recognizable by its towering height and distinctive patterned coat. These striking African herbivores spend most of their lives standing, from feeding on the highest acacia leaves to even sleeping for short intervals.
The Specific Name for a Baby Giraffe
The young of a giraffe is properly referred to as a calf. This term is commonly used across a range of large mammal species, including cattle, elephants, hippopotamuses, and even whales. Adult female giraffes are known as cows, and males are called bulls, which further reflects a shared naming convention with other large ungulates.
Immediate Life After Birth
A newborn calf is a surprisingly large baby, typically standing about 6 feet tall at birth. These newborns usually weigh between 100 to 150 pounds, a significant size resulting from the mother’s approximately 15-month gestation period. The birth itself is a dramatic event, as the mother gives birth while standing, causing the calf to drop several feet to the ground.
This abrupt entry into the world serves to break the umbilical cord and stimulates the calf to take its first breath. The calf is remarkably precocial. It must stand on its long, wobbly legs within an hour of being born and can often run alongside its mother just hours later.
Parental Protection and Social Structure
The mother’s protective vigilance is constant, especially during the first few weeks when the calf is most vulnerable to predators like lions and hyenas. The calf relies on its mother’s milk, which is rich in fat and nutrients, for an extended period. While a calf will start to sample leaves and twigs around four months old, it may continue to nurse for up to a year.
As the calf grows, it is often introduced into a social grouping known as a creche or nursery group. In this system, multiple mothers temporarily leave their young calves together under the watch of a single adult female. This cooperative care allows the other mothers to forage for food and water more freely without sacrificing the safety of their offspring. This structure increases the overall survival chances for the young, as the collective defense is more effective against potential threats.