Six Fun Facts about Africa’s Animal Mothers and their Babies

African Wild Dogs

Adorable Litter of Wild Dog Puppies at Lion Sands Game Reserve

African wild dog mothers give birth to 6-16 puppies in a single litter – the most in the animal kingdom! For the first three weeks, the puppies are nursed by their mother until they can eat solid food at 3-4 weeks old. The mother wild dog will leave her puppies with male "baby sitters" as she goes out to hunt with other female wild dogs.

Lions

Cubs playing in the road. Photo by African Anthology

To keep her babies safe, a lioness will give birth away from her pride. Lionesses typically give birth to 3-6 cubs and after they are born, she will move them around and keep them hidden to keep them safe from predators. When the cubs are 6-8 weeks old, they get to meet the rest of the pride.

Warthogs

Warthog Kisses. Photo by Jessica Tyrer

Did you know that female warthogs can give birth to up to eight young at one time? On average, they have litters of 2 or 3 piglets and they only weigh a few pounds at birth. Mother warthogs communicate with their young through grunts and growls.

Elephants

Elephant Babies. Photo by Aleja Telluride

Have you heard of the African proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child?” This is especially true when it comes to elephants and their calves. Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals with female elephants carrying their young for 18-22 months before giving birth. Once a calf is born, the newborn’s aunts, sisters and cousins take on the role of “allomother.” An allomother acts as a babysitter, watching over the calf, following them around and giving them lots of attention, so that the mother can feed and rest.

Cheetahs

Cheetah Mother and her Babies. Photo by Tania Coffey

Did you know female cheetahs raise their cubs on their own? A female cheetah will give birth to a litter with 3-5 cubs. Cheetah cubs begin following their mother when they’re approximately 6 weeks old and learn how to kill and catch prey. Between 13-20 months, the cubs will be full grown and they will separate from their mother who is usually pregnant again by this stage.

Rhinos

Mother Rhino and her Baby. Photo by Kathy Wilfong

Can you tell the difference between a white baby rhino and a black baby rhino? A black rhino’s baby will always run behind its mother, while a white rhino’s baby will always run in front of her.