How long is an African elephant’s typical pregnancy?

An African elephant’s typical pregnancy lasts about 22 months.

This is the longest gestation period of any living land animal. The extended pregnancy allows the calf’s brain and body to develop substantially before birth. A newborn calf is already large, coordinated enough to stand soon after birth and dependent on its mother and herd for protection.

African elephants live in complex social groups. Calves are usually cared for by their mothers and other females in the family, a behaviour often called allomothering. The herd’s experience helps protect young elephants from predators and environmental dangers.

Elephant reproduction is slow compared with that of many smaller mammals. Females generally produce one calf at a time, and years can pass between births. This slow life history makes elephant populations particularly vulnerable to prolonged poaching, habitat loss and other pressures.