Masai Giraffe

Masai giraffes live in fluid, fission-fusion social groups, meaning individuals frequently join or leave groups without developing strong bonds, and group composition changes regularly. These groups are often based on age, sex, or kinship. Females and their calves form loose associations, while males may be solitary or form temporary bachelor groups. Masai giraffes mate year-round. Mature, solitary males approach female herds and sample their urine for signs of oestrus. Courtship includes fighting rival males and nuzzling the females until they allow him to mate. Giraffes are pregnant for 13 to 15 months. Shortly before birth, a mother separates herself from her herd. She gives birth to one calf, though twins have occasionally been recorded, which drops 1.5m to the ground and can walk within an hour of being born. She keeps the calf hidden away in bushes, foraging alone, until it is about 3 weeks old. Then, mother and calf rejoin the herd. Giraffes begin eating solid food from 1 month old, though weaning is gradual and complete at 1 year old at the latest. Calves are closely bonded to their mother until they are around 18 months old, when they will begin to distance themselves. Giraffes reach sexual maturity at around 4 years old. Young males leave their natal herd at 3 years old to join a bachelor herd, gradually becoming more solitary until they roam fully alone by around 7 years old. Females tend to remain with their mother’s herds, but may transfer to other herds occasionally through their lives.

Masai giraffes live in fluid, fission-fusion social groups, meaning individuals frequently join or leave groups without developing strong bonds, and group composition changes regularly. These groups are often based on age, sex, or kinship. Females and their calves form loose associations, while males may be solitary or form temporary bachelor groups. Masai giraffes mate year-round. Mature, solitary males approach female herds and sample their urine for signs of oestrus. Courtship includes fighting rival males and nuzzling the females until they allow him to mate. Giraffes are pregnant for 13 to 15 months. Shortly before birth, a mother separates herself from her herd. She gives birth to one calf, though twins have occasionally been recorded, which drops 1.5m to the ground and can walk within an hour of being born. She keeps the calf hidden away in bushes, foraging alone, until it is about 3 weeks old. Then, mother and calf rejoin the herd. Giraffes begin eating solid food from 1 month old, though weaning is gradual and complete at 1 year old at the latest. Calves are closely bonded to their mother until they are around 18 months old, when they will begin to distance themselves. Giraffes reach sexual maturity at around 4 years old. Young males leave their natal herd at 3 years old to join a bachelor herd, gradually becoming more solitary until they roam fully alone by around 7 years old. Females tend to remain with their mother’s herds, but may transfer to other herds occasionally through their lives.