25/09/2024
Cute sighting of a baby giraffe.
Female giraffes give birth standing up, after 15 months, and calves are usually able to stand and run within a few hours following birth.
A newborn giraffe will suckle its mother’s milk as soon as it can stand up – that’s why they need to be so tall at birth. Calves are reliant on their mother’s milk for up to 9-12 months. They start eating solid food (leaves) from about 4 months at which time they also start to ruminate.
The first few months of a giraffe’s life are the most vulnerable. Predators such as lion, hyena, wild dog, crocodile and leopard all see a baby giraffe as prey. Giraffe mothers are extremely protective and will meter out a powerful kick to any other animal that comes too close. Over 50% of giraffe calves don’t survive their first year in some populations.
During the first few days a newborn giraffe will often be left sitting in high grass, while the mother goes off to feed, but after a few weeks the youngster is introduced to the rest of the herd. Nursery groups, where one mother will keep watch while the others have a chance to go and find food, have been observed in the wild.
