Giraffe Mating Facts

Giraffes are fascinating creatures, mostly because of their tall stature and unique coloring. Female giraffes live in herds with their young, while male giraffes are solitary. Males wander from herd to herd looking for fertile females. Giraffe mating rituals, though similar to most mammals in many ways, are also interesting and unique to their species.

  1. Finding a Mate

    • Giraffes mate continually with as many partners as they can, which keeps the gene pool strong and ensures survival of the species. Since giraffes do not mate for life, this allows the males to roam freely looking for young mares to birth healthy calves. Female giraffes tend to be attracted to older, stronger males, which allows for survival of the fittest.

    Mating Season

    • Mating season occurs year-long for giraffes. Female giraffes are in estrus every two weeks for approximately 24 hours. Males go from female to female looking for one that is fertile.

    Estrous Testing

    • Males search constantly for a fertile female who, using the flehmen test. It is common to see male animals smell female urine to recognize if she is in estrus. Male giraffes have a unique way of getting the female to urinate. He nudges the rump of the female, which induces urination, so he can taste the urine and detect female hormones.

    Courtship

    • Courtship does not last long among giraffes, a day at the most. Most of the time it is the male giraffe that begins courtship, but sometimes it is the female giraffe that shows interest in a strong and dominate male by following him and nudging him. When a male courts a female, he follows her around giving her cues he is interested in mating. He may nudge her or wrap his neck around hers. He tries to mount her many times before he is successful. She usually walks a few feet away and thwarts his advances for a while until she finally consents. She is not playing hard to get, but is most likely awaiting a stronger, more dominate bull to come along to mate with.

    Intercourse

    • Once the male is able to mount the female, intercourse is completed in about 60 seconds. After intercourse, the male leaves the female. If conditions are correct, she becomes pregnant and gives birth in approximately 14 ½ months.

    Females Care for the Young

    • Male giraffes do not stay around and help the female care for the baby. This works well for the species, since baby giraffes need very little care after they are born. They stand up and walk almost immediately after birth, and they stick close to all the adult females in the herd for safety. Food is available for the females and males alike, and there is no need for the male to be territorial.