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6. An elephant’s pregnancy lasts 95 weeks. You’ve got to be kidding me.
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Elephants, the great matriarchs of the savanna, hold the record for the longest pregnancy among mammals—nearly two years. This prolonged gestation allows for the intricate development of their large brains and social skills. Calves, weighing about 120 kilograms at birth, are raised within close-knit family groups where aunts and older siblings help care for the young. This shared parenting, known as allomothering, ensures calves are always protected and nurtured, giving mothers time to rest and feed.
Pregnant elephants communicate through low-frequency rumbles, or infrasound, which may help coordinate births or share information with other expectant mothers. These sounds can travel for miles, connecting herd members across vast distances.
Female elephants typically give birth only once every four to five years, investing immense energy in each calf. This strategy helps ensure each baby receives the best possible care and has the greatest chance of surviving in the challenging savanna environment.
