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Baby elephants can grow up to be some of the largest land animals in the world, but at birth they weigh only 200 to 300 pounds. Did you know that young elephants are called calves? Or that elephants lose their fangs in the same way that human babies lose their first milk teeth?
Read ten baby elephant facts and pictures that show how cool this giant mammal is.
# 10: Baby elephants can’t jump
Elephants are the largest animal in the world that cannot jump. We know what you’re thinking: it might be because of their size, right? However, this may not be true. In truth, scientists don’t know why elephants can’t jump because not enough research has been done to determine the correct answer.
Baby elephants not only do not jump, but also cannot lift all four feet off the ground at the same time. While running, they constantly have at least one leg attached to the ground. This is believed to contribute to stability in animals.
# 9: newborn elephants soothe themselves by sucking their trunk
We all know that human babies suck their thumbs for comfort. Did you know that baby elephants do the same with their trunks? However, these tiny giants don’t just do this to calm themselves. It also helps them to strengthen their torso muscles and better control the appendage.
# 8: Baby elephants are called calves and weigh about 200 pounds at birth!
A newborn elephant usually weighs between 200 and 300 pounds and grows to about three feet! They gain weight rapidly as they grow older and will eventually weigh up to 15,000 pounds when fully grown. Scientists say that on average, baby elephants gain two pounds a year. day until they are fully grown. This is a big child!
7 it takes an elephant almost two years to have a baby
Did you know that adult elephants are pregnant for 22 months before giving birth to a newborn elephant? This is true! This gestation period makes the elephant the longest gestation mammal on Earth. Elephants have been pregnant for so long, in part because of the size of their cubs – it takes longer to raise a 200-pound newborn!
# 6: Baby elephants must learn to use their trunk
You may be surprised to learn that elephants instinctively fail to use their trunk. When they are born, they lack muscle tone in the trunk, making it difficult to control them, so elephants need a lot of practice to develop the strength and dexterity of their trunks. Baby elephants strengthen themselves and learn to use their trunk by playing in the water and rocking it back and forth.
# 5: baby elephants lose their fangs
If a tooth fairy has ever visited you, you know that babies lose their first set of teeth – this is normal. The elephants shed their fangs in the same way! After about a year, they lose their first tusks. When they turn two, their adult tusks begin to grow, which continue to grow until the elephant is fully grown.
# 4: most elephants are born at night
An astounding 99% of elephants are born in the evening. Scientists believe this is an evolutionary trait that elephants have developed to protect their young from predators and create a calm environment. It is even known that elephants deliberately disrupt childbirth when daylight approaches.
# 3: elephants are born blind
Despite the fact that elephants are mostly developed at the time of birth, their eyesight is not. Even adult elephants are poorly known for their sight, but in infancy they are almost blind. Instead of relying on sight, they use their trunks and the guidance of their mothers to navigate the world.
# 2: Adult elephants cover their young with sand to protect them from the sun.
Elephants thrive in meadows, savannas and forests, where the weather is usually hot and dry. To protect their little ones from the sun, adult elephants use their giant trunks to shower the elephants with sand and mud, creating a protective layer on their skin to protect them from the sun.
# 1: newborn elephants have almost fully developed brains
It is easy to imagine that after almost two years in the womb, the baby elephant no longer needs to develop after birth. They are born with fully developed brains and, unlike many other animals, can walk immediately after birth, although they can wobble a little.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What do elephants eat?
Most elephants drink exclusively from their mother’s breast milk during their first year of life. After that, they usually eat bamboo, shrubs, herbs, fruits, and roots. Since elephants are exceptionally herbivores, they do not eat meat.
Where do the elephants live?
Baby elephants usually live in savannah or meadows, but they can also be found in forested areas, marshlands, and many other places. They grow best in warm weather in areas with a lot of foliage, berries and herbs.
How much does the baby elephant weigh?
Newborn baby elephants can weigh between 200 and 300 pounds! This makes them one of the largest land animals on Earth.
What is the name of the baby elephant?
The only baby elephant is called a calf. A group of elephants is called calves.
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