Diets of Newborn Giraffes

Newborn giraffes rely on their mothers for nutrition and protection. Baby giraffes, which are called calves, are born in a dramatic manner and grow very quickly. Receiving proper nourishment through their diet is vital to the growth and development of young giraffes, whether they are born in the wild or in a zoo.

  1. Dramatic Birth

    • After a gestation period of between 400 and 450 days, pregnant giraffes usually give birth to a single calf. Twin calves are sometimes born, but this is a rare occurrence. The mother stands while giving birth, meaning the embryonic sack can fall from a height of 6 feet or more. The sack bursts upon reaching the ground, and a healthy baby giraffe can usually stand within a short time of being born. The baby also quickly finds its mother's milk supply.

    First Food

    • The newborn giraffe will begin suckling from its mother as soon as it can stand underneath the mother and feed. The baby, which may stand 6 feet tall at birth, will continue to use its mother's milk as the main food supply for up to a year or more. The milk contains all the proper nutrients for a young, growing giraffe, which can grow 9 inches taller just during the first month of life.

    Sampling Solid Food

    • At about 4 months of age, giraffes may begin sampling leaves and possibly nibble on grass and fruit. With a growth rate that can reach 1 inch per day, a young giraffe needs to feed regularly in order to give its growing body the nutrition it needs. Milk remains a constant food source during these early months of life, but the giraffe will steadily move to leaves as it grows.

    Grownup Fare

    • As young giraffes mature, it stops suckling and devotes its feeding habits exclusively to staples of the species. Leaves of the acacia tree are a favorite of giraffes, who use their long tongues to grasp the leaves while avoiding the tree's thorns. A mature giraffe can consume 60 lbs. or more of leaves and twigs each day. Giraffes are ruminants, meaning they chew and swallow their food, then regurgitate the semi-digested food and chew it again.