Newborns are being helped by their mothers and other women. Calves can become self-sustaining within minutes of birth. Mothers and other females help guide the calf to breastfeed almost immediately. The calf's trunk is still short, so use your mouth to breastfeed.
How do elephants feed their babies?
Elephant calves care with their mouth (not the trunk) just behind their mother's front legs. It is cared for very often throughout the day and all nutrition during the first year of life is completely dependent on the mother.
What does an elephant baby do with the trunk?
At first, baby elephants don't really know what to do with their trunk. They swing them back and forth and sometimes even step on them. They will suck on the trunk, much like a human baby sucks on the thumb. By about 6-8 months, calves begin to learn to eat and drink using their core.
Do elephants use their trunks for nursing?
Do baby elephants care using the trunk? No, elephant calves are cared for by mouth. They do not learn how to control the trunk for the first few months of life.
Do baby elephants suck their torso for comfort?
According to the Discover Wildlife Report, the answer is yes. Elephant calves suck their trunk rather than from their habits, but do so as a kind of reflex that helps promote their ability to breastfeed. Calves may also smoke trucks to relax when not feeding.
Below you will find two helpful answers on a similar topic. 👇
Do all jumping spiders get big?Do all lobsters have claws?