How long does a baby giraffe stay with its mother?

A male baby giraffe, or calf, stays with his mother for about 15 months after birth, while a female baby giraffe remains with her mother for approximately 18 months. Young males form groups with other males, but young females remain in the same herds as their mothers.

The gestation period for a giraffe is about 15 months. The mother gives birth from a standing position. A calf is about 6 1/2 feet tall at birth and weighs about 220 pounds. He stands up within an hour after birth and immediately begins suckling milk from his mother. Although a calf begins eating leaves at around 4 months of age, he relies on his mother's milk until he's 9 to 12 months old.