Female giraffes give birth to a calf about 15 months aftermating with a male. The mother gives birth standing up, so the calf drops to the ground.
The calf is about 2 metres tall, and during its first week it grows about a centimetre a day. About an hour after birth, the calf can walk. It suckles milk from its mother, but starts nibbling at other food within days.
Females start to mate when they are about four years old. The males are usually at least twice the females age before they mate. The males must win battles with older and stronger males before they are able to mate with females. These are called necking battles. Since these giraffes can mate at any time of the year, this form of agression for the males is often seen.
Below is an example of a necking battle
The calf has a very hard time surviving, with only about 1/4 of them making it through the first year of life. They are prime targets for predators. In the very beginnning the mother will be isolated with her young and that is when it is most vulnerable. The chances of survival increase when the two of them rejoin the rest of the herd.
The calf is about 2 metres tall, and during its first week it grows about a centimetre a day. About an hour after birth, the calf can walk. It suckles milk from its mother, but starts nibbling at other food within days.
Below is an example of a necking battle
Watch the video to see baby giraffe's