The typical birth weight of an African elephant calf is about 100 kg. That is approximately the weight of a very large adult human, even though the newborn is only around 85–90 cm tall at the shoulder.
Individual calves vary, commonly weighing roughly 90–120 kg depending on factors such as sex, maternal condition, and whether the birth occurs in the wild or under human care. The figure in the quiz is therefore a useful typical value, not a precise limit for every calf.
Elephant pregnancy lasts about 22 months, among the longest gestations of any mammal. The extended development gives the calf time to form a relatively advanced brain and a functional body. Soon after birth, the calf attempts to stand and walk, helped by its mother and other females in the family group.
A newborn calf nurses with its mouth, not its trunk. Its trunk initially has limited coordination, but it gradually becomes an essential tool for feeding, drinking, smelling, touching, and communication. The common mix-up is treating 100 kg as the weight of every newborn; it is an average-style estimate, while real calves span a range.