Baby giraffe facts: What to expect after April’s baby is born

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WFLA) — Animal lovers around the world are counting down to the arrival of April the giraffe’s unborn baby and are probably wondering what to expect after its much-anticipated birth.

So, we’ve compiled a few baby giraffe facts that will help you get to know the young calf as it grows.

How big will the newborn be once it’s born?
Well, according to Animal Planet, a giraffe calf is usually born weighing between 100 and 150 pounds, measuring in at 6 feet tall. The average gestation period for a giraffe is 15 months, but April has been baking her baby in the oven for 17 months now, two months past her due date. This baby could come out pretty big.

How has the zoo prepared for her birth?
Usually, zookeepers work with giraffes for years to prepare them for birth by getting them used to technology and devices used during the delivery process that keep the baby and the mother safe. Sometimes they use a restraint device (GRD), which keeps giraffes in place for ultrasounds and delivery in case of emergencies.

When do giraffes start to walk?
It only takes about 30 minutes to an hour after birth for a calf to start standing and walking. Their mobility is necessary for them to be able to nurse from their mother. Within the first day, they are expected to run.

What’s in the baby’s diet? And how long do they nurse from their mothers?
As previously mentioned, a newborn giraffe begins nursing from his mother shortly after birth. After four months, they start eating solid food like leaves and continue nursing for 9 to 12 months. Weaning ages vary 6 to 17 months.

What are some other fun facts about giraffes?

• There are 9 subspecies of giraffe, the most common being the Rothschild’s.
• Giraffes are herbivores with diets mostly consisting of leaves
• They only need to drink water once every few days since they are hydrated by the leaves.
• Giraffes eat approximately 75 pounds of food each day
• They only need 30 minutes to two hours of sleep per day
• Giraffes can defend themselves from scary predators like lions with their strong-hooved feet, but it doesn’t seem like
• April’s baby will ever find herself in this situation.
• They can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour
• Giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals, standing up to 20 feet tall.

 

Courtesy of WKRN’s News 2