What is a Baby Elephant Called?

The term calf is widely used in English to describe the young ones of several large mammals. Aside from elephants, the babies of cows, whales, rhinos, giraffes, and hippos are also called calves. Consequently, an adult male elephant is called a Bull, and an adult female elephant is called a Cow.

1. Massive Babies: An elephant calf is born absolutely massive, usually weighing around 90 to 120 kilograms (200-260 lbs) right at birth.
2. Long Pregnancy: They have the longest gestation period of any mammal. A female elephant carries the calf in her womb for nearly 22 months before giving birth.
3. Trunk Trouble: When a calf is born, it has no idea how to control its trunk. You will often see baby elephants tripping over their trunks or sucking on them for comfort, much like a human baby sucks its thumb. It takes them several months to learn how to use their trunk to drink water and pick up food.

Elephant herds are matriarchal, meaning they are led by the oldest, wisest female. When a calf is born, it isn't just raised by its mother. All the females in the herd (aunts, grandmothers, and sisters) act as 'allomothers', fiercely protecting and helping to raise the calf.