Because the family unit as such does not exist among giraffes, and the giraffes in a detail region represent, in effect, an extended family, the issue of spouse excerption does not come into play. An old bull whitethorn object glass to a puppylike bull who is seeking a mate from among his group, and expel him, only this is not a common practice. Herds tilt composition continually, so females ar available for any young bull who comes along, and if they are pass oning, he can mate with them.
Giraffes are sexually mature at three to quadruplet geezerhood of age and reproduce sexually. Because of their individualistic nature and the fact that they do not plant stable herds, giraffes are polygamous by dint of their lifetime. Females usually mature earlier than males, and reach full height by quint years. Females can calve from age five on, up until about 20 years of age. A sexually mature cow comes into heat every 12 to 15 days. Giraffes breed throughout the year, but mating tends to reach seasonal peaks in different regions of Africa. The gestation period for a giraffe is 15 months. Occasionally, twins are born, but more a good deal just one calf. More than half the calves born spend during the first year of life, usually as they fall feed in to predators, such as lions (Lavine,
Because of this out of work parental bonding, calves luck together for companionship for the first four or five months of life (Planet Giraffe, 1999). Calves willing browse together, or lie down close beside one another (Mochi and MacClintock, p. 92). They will occasionally bewray off alone, but always blockage within visual contact of the adults. Groups of young giraffes are sometimes looked after by one or two cured females who are beyond child-bearing age while there mothers wander off to browse. Usually there are five or six calves in such a nursery, but there can be as many as twelve. These nurseries course and break up casually, as with all other giraffe groupings (Mochi and MacClintock, p. 92).
The young always remain close enough to their family band to retain visual contact with its lookouts (Lavine, p. 61). Though giraffes are by and large silent, calves bleat and make a mewing call, and mothers seeking lost calves will bellow; moaning, snoring, hissing and flute-like sounds have also been heard from giraffes (Worldlife, 1999).
Lavine, S. A. (1986). Wonders of Giraffes. hot York: Dodd, Mead & Co.
Giraffes are thus somewhat unique, at least among mammals. They form loose associations, but no permanent family groups, or flush herds. Because of this, there is no importance placed on mate selection, and they are polyandrous and polygamous through their lifetime. Mating strategies are very simplified, with a young bull following a cow in heat and attempting to mate with her. He may have to follow her for hours before she will accept him, but he is usually successful, unless chased off by an old male. If the mating is successful, a calf is born 15 months later. The mother, with the attend to of other cows beyond child-bearing age, cares for the young, with no input any(prenominal) from the father.
Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis. Available at: wildlife@exis.net
Although there is little competitor among young bulls for cow's in heat, because of the loose str
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