Which mammal has the longest pregnancy?
Quick answer
The elephant has the longest pregnancy of any mammal. African elephants are pregnant for about 22 months (around 640–680 days), and Asian elephants for about 18–22 months. A newborn elephant calf weighs about 100 kg (220 lb) and can stand within an hour of birth.
Gestation periods compared
| Animal | Average pregnancy |
|---|---|
| African elephant | ~22 months |
| Asian elephant | ~18–22 months |
| Sperm whale | ~14–16 months |
| Orca (killer whale) | ~17 months |
| Giraffe | ~15 months |
| Rhinoceros | ~15–16 months |
| Horse | ~11 months |
| Human | ~9 months |
| Dog / cat | ~2 months |
| Mouse | ~3 weeks |
| Virginia opossum | ~12–13 days (one of the shortest) |
Why elephants take so long
- Big bodies: Larger animals generally have longer pregnancies.
- Big brains: Elephants are highly intelligent, and their brains need a long time to develop before birth. A calf is born able to walk, follow the herd and recognize family members.
- Safety in numbers: Elephant herds protect calves, so having one well-developed baby every few years works well for them.
Female elephants usually have a calf only every 4 to 5 years, which is one reason elephant populations recover slowly from poaching.
The longest pregnancy in the animal kingdom
Outside mammals, some animals take even longer. The frilled shark may carry its young for up to 3.5 years, and the alpine salamander can be pregnant for 2 to 3 years at high altitudes.
Fast facts about baby elephants
- They drink up to about 10 liters of milk a day.
- They suck their trunks for comfort, like human babies suck their thumbs.
- The whole herd, including aunts and older sisters, helps raise them.
Elephants also live a long time; see which animal has the longest lifespan. For another record-holder, see the fastest land animal.
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