1. Protection and Defense:
- Both male and female giraffes collaboratively guard and protect their young from potential predators. They use their long legs to kick and strike, safeguarding the calf from harm.
2. Breast Milk and Weaning:
- Calves are born with the ability to stand within a few hours. For the first several months, they exclusively nurse on their mother's nutritious breast milk. As the calf grows, it will gradually start nibbling on vegetation while continuing to nurse until it's fully weaned, usually at around 10 to 12 months.
3. Social Learning and Play:
- Within a few weeks of birth, young giraffes begin to interact and play with other juvenile giraffes in the herd. They imitate the behavior of older animals and learn important survival skills through play, such as coordination, balance, and how to successfully obtain food from trees.
4. Height and Strength Development:
- As a young giraffe grows, its parents encourage it to stand up frequently, promoting the development of strong legs. They nudge and stimulate their calves to help them gain proper posture, coordination, and strength for their long necks and lanky bodies.
5. Social Cohesion and Interaction:
- Young giraffes are typically well-integrated into the social structure of the herd. They form close bonds with their mothers and other female relatives. The herd provides a nurturing and protective environment where the young can thrive.
6. Teaching Survival Skills:
- Over time, young giraffes learn vital survival skills, including how to forage on leaves and buds from tall trees, how to defend themselves from predators, and how to interact peacefully with other members of the herd. Their parents, as well as other experienced giraffes, serve as mentors in these learning processes.