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6. An elephant’s pregnancy lasts 95 weeks. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Elephants, the grand matriarchs of the savanna, claim the longest pregnancy among mammals—nearly two years. This prolonged gestation supports the intricate growth of their large brains and social abilities.
Calves, weighing around 120 kilograms at birth, grow up in close-knit family units where aunts and older siblings pitch in to nurture the young. This communal care, known as allomothering, ensures calves are always shielded and cherished, granting mothers moments to rest and eat.
Pregnant elephants use low-frequency rumbles, or infrasound, to communicate, possibly syncing births or sharing insights with other expecting mothers. These vibrations travel miles, linking herd members across vast spaces.
Female elephants usually birth only once every four to five years, pouring immense energy into each calf. This approach maximizes each baby’s chance of thriving in the harsh savanna landscape.
