🐘 Baby Elephant: Complete Guide to Elephant Calves

A baby elephant is called a calf. Born at 200+ pounds, raised by the entire herd, and doesn't know how to use its trunk for the first year.

Baby Name: Calf
Birth Weight: 200-268 lbs (90-120 kg)
Gestation: 22 months (longest of any land animal)
Litter: 1 calf (twins extremely rare)
Trunk control: Takes ~1 year to learn
Nursing: 2-3 years
Raised by: Entire herd (allomothers help)
Independence: 8-10 years

Fun Facts About Baby Elephants

22-month gestation — longest of any land animal

Born at 200+ lbs — already heavier than most adult humans

Doesn't know how to use its trunk — trips over it for months

Sucks trunk like a thumb for comfort

Entire herd helps raise the calf — "allomothers" assist

Calves drink 3 gallons of milk per day

Elephant herds are matriarchal — led by oldest female

Baby elephants suckle with their MOUTH, not trunk