It takes 22 months before the calf will be born and usually the adult elephant only gives birth to one baby. The baby usually weighs around 250 pounds and is about 33 inches high at birth, just about knee high to the mother. When the young are born their trunk seems to have a mind of its own and wiggles and swings around like a toddlers hands would do. Also when the baby is young it sucks on its trunk just like a baby would its thumb! Elephants are very gentle mammals but a mother will defend her young calves by charging at any intruders. A young calf may take its mothers milk for 5 years. A baby elephant's appearance is different compared to the adults.Their small bodies have a sparce covering of coarse hair. This is to protect them from cold weather. The little hairs will trap a layer of warm air under the coat of fur allowing the baby to stay warm. At about three months of age a baby elephant starts eating like it's mother and adds some vegetation to it's diet. As a young elephant grows, it learns how to become independent by watching and mimicking others. As the babies grow older their bodies start to grow into proportion and they start to look like an adult. At one time these cute little babies were sold to slave masters for money. |
