When an elephant is 10 to 11 years old, it is seen as sexually mature.
For females, they go through being in an oestrus state. Here, the female produces just one egg. These cycles last around 6 to 10 days normally.
African elephants are polygynadrous animals. Which means the males mate with more than one female at a time. When a female is in the oestrus state, they can attract males more. Male elephants stick their trunk in the cow's genital area to see if the female is in the oestrus state. For the males, they go through a stage called musth, yet they don't need to be in this stage to mate. When the elephants are ready to mate, the male will climb on the back of the female and thrust his penis into the vulva.
The gestation period, or length of pregnancy, is about 21-23 months. The baby is inside of the mother for about a year.
When the baby is ready to be born, a small bulge appears under the legs. When the baby falls out, the impact of hitting the ground will break the amniotic sac. Within just a few hours of birth, the mother will nurse her young. The birthing process, or labor, can vary. Some births can be quick, but some can last around 7 hours.
For females, they go through being in an oestrus state. Here, the female produces just one egg. These cycles last around 6 to 10 days normally.
African elephants are polygynadrous animals. Which means the males mate with more than one female at a time. When a female is in the oestrus state, they can attract males more. Male elephants stick their trunk in the cow's genital area to see if the female is in the oestrus state. For the males, they go through a stage called musth, yet they don't need to be in this stage to mate. When the elephants are ready to mate, the male will climb on the back of the female and thrust his penis into the vulva.
The gestation period, or length of pregnancy, is about 21-23 months. The baby is inside of the mother for about a year.
When the baby is ready to be born, a small bulge appears under the legs. When the baby falls out, the impact of hitting the ground will break the amniotic sac. Within just a few hours of birth, the mother will nurse her young. The birthing process, or labor, can vary. Some births can be quick, but some can last around 7 hours.