
Baby giraffes are among the largest newborns in the animal kingdom, weighing in at around 50 to 70 kilograms, or 125 to 200 pounds. To put that into perspective, newborn calves are close to six feet tall—that's as tall as an adult human! In this introductory paragraph, we will explore the weight and size of newborn giraffes, as well as other fascinating facts about these adorable creatures.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Weight | 50-70 kg (100-200 lbs) or 125-150 lbs |
Height | 6 feet |
What You'll Learn
Newborn giraffes weigh more than most other animals
Newborn giraffes are giants compared to most other animals. Weighing in at 50 to 70 kilograms (or 125 to 200 pounds), they are already close to the height of an adult human at birth. In fact, newborn calves stand at around six feet tall, with some sources citing a height of 1.8 metres.
To put this into perspective, consider that the average human baby weighs around 3.5 kilograms (or 7.7 pounds) and measures about 50 centimetres (or 20 inches) in height. So, a newborn giraffe is not only taller than a human baby but also significantly heavier.
This large size at birth is likely due to the long gestation period of giraffes, which lasts around 15 months. This is much longer than the nine-month gestation period of humans. The extra time in the womb allows the calf to develop enough to quickly stand up and move around, which is crucial for survival in the wild.
Not only are newborn giraffes taller and heavier than most other animals, but they also grow at an incredible rate. During the first week of their lives, they can grow up to 2.5 centimetres every day. By the time they turn one, they will have roughly doubled in size. This rapid growth ensures that they can keep up with the rest of the herd and increase their chances of survival.
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They weigh 100-200 pounds at birth
Newborn giraffes are already quite heavy, weighing in at around 100 to 200 pounds. This is a far cry from their adult weight, which can be upwards of 3,000 pounds for males and 1,500 to 1,600 pounds for females. But even at birth, a baby giraffe is no lightweight. In fact, they are some of the largest babies in the animal kingdom.
To put this into perspective, a newborn giraffe can weigh as much as a full-grown human adult. And this weight comes in a tall package, as baby giraffes are born standing about six feet tall. This height is due in part to their long legs, which are already about the same length as a human adult's when they are born.
The weight and height of a newborn giraffe are a result of their long gestation period. Female giraffes carry their young for about 14 to 15 months, which is significantly longer than the nine months of human pregnancy. This extended gestation period ensures that the calf is developed enough to quickly stand up and move around when it is born, which is important for survival in the wild.
Despite their large size, newborn giraffes are still very vulnerable. They are born with muted colouring on their coats, which makes them harder for predators to spot. However, their size and weight can make the birth process dangerous, as female giraffes give birth standing up. This means that the baby giraffe drops about five to six feet from the birth canal to the ground, sometimes landing on its head.
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They're born as tall as an adult human
Baby giraffes, or calves, are born weighing between 50 and 150 pounds (some sources state up to 200 pounds) and standing about six feet tall—that's as tall as an adult human! To put that into perspective, an adult male giraffe (bull) can reach 18 feet in height and weigh 3,000 pounds, while an adult female giraffe (cow) can grow to be 15 feet tall and weigh 1,600 pounds.
The height of a newborn giraffe is quite remarkable, especially when you consider that they are born in a superman position, with their head and front legs emerging first, followed by their body and back legs. This means that the baby giraffe's head and neck are already about two meters long at birth.
The height of a newborn giraffe is not only impressive but also crucial for their survival. In the wild, giraffes give birth standing up, and the long drop to the ground—about five or six feet—helps to snap the umbilical cord and tear the amniotic sac. The fall also provides a shock to the calf's system, stimulating it to take its first breaths. Within hours of being born, a baby giraffe can stand, feed, and walk, which is essential for keeping up with the herd and staying safe from predators.
The height of a baby giraffe is not just a result of their long neck and legs but also their large overall size. Newborn calves are already quite bulky, weighing more than many adult humans. This substantial weight, combined with their height, makes baby giraffes one of the largest newborns in the animal kingdom.
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They drop 5-6 feet from the birth canal
When a baby giraffe is born, it enters the world in a '"superman" position', with its front legs and head emerging first, followed by its body and back legs. The mother gives birth standing up, so the newborn calf drops about 5-6 feet from the birth canal to the ground. This dramatic entrance is nature's way of ensuring the calf's umbilical cord is severed and the amniotic sac is torn, allowing the baby giraffe to be completely disentangled from its mother.
The fall also provides a shock to the calf's system, stimulating it to take its first breaths and kick-starting its respiratory system. This is crucial for the calf's survival, as without the fall, the giraffe would not be able to breathe. The drop to the ground also helps to break the fall, as the stretching motion of the "superman" position lessens the impact.
In human care, zookeepers will place several inches of sand, hay, or shavings on the ground to cushion the newborn calf's fall. In the wild, however, nature has equipped giraffes to handle this unique birthing process, and the fall does not hurt the baby giraffe. In fact, it is necessary to ensure the calf's long neck is not damaged during birth.
The mother giraffe gives birth standing up to avoid damaging the baby's lengthy neck. If a giraffe gave birth while seated, there would not be enough room for the newborn to emerge without bending or fracturing its neck. Additionally, giraffes are almost never lying down as it makes them vulnerable to predators. They even sleep standing up to avoid becoming an easy target for lions and other carnivores.
The birth process for giraffes is truly remarkable, and nature has designed it in a way that ensures the calf's safety and survival, despite the seemingly dangerous drop from the birth canal.
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They can stand within 30 minutes to an hour of birth
A newborn giraffe, or calf, weighs around 50 to 70 kilograms (100 to 200 pounds) and is about six feet tall. That's one big baby! And it's not just their size that's impressive; newborn calves can stand within 30 minutes to an hour of birth.
Giraffes are born in a superman position, with their front legs and head emerging first, followed by their body and back legs. This position helps to break the fall a little as the calf drops from its mother's womb, which is about five feet above the ground. The fall severs the umbilical cord and tears the amniotic sac, disentangling the calf from its mother. It also gives the calf a bump on the head, which kick-starts its respiratory system.
Within the first couple of hours after birth, the calf is expected to stand. It takes several wobbly attempts before the calf is stable on its long legs. They have to untangle their legs and neck, and then they can attempt to stand. Unhealthy calves that cannot stand or run are likely to be eaten by predators within 24 hours.
Standing is just one of the many milestones a newborn calf achieves in its first day. Within the first three hours, the calf needs to nurse from its mother to ensure it consumes colostrum, which contains important antibodies. By the time they are 10 hours old, they will be running with the other giraffes.
The ability to stand and move around quickly after birth is crucial for a newborn calf's survival. With hungry predators nearby, a calf needs to be able to follow its herd to safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborn giraffes weigh between 50 and 150 pounds.
A newborn giraffe is one of the largest babies in the animal world, weighing more than most other newborn animals.
Male giraffes weigh up to 3,000 pounds, while female giraffes weigh up to 1,600 pounds.