Lion Country Safari, a safari park in south Florida, welcomed two new giraffe calves this week, bringing the count of giraffes born on safari up to 58! Ayanna, a third-time mother, delivered a 6-foot-5 male calf Oct. 22, and two days later, Lilly, a first-time mom, delivered a 6-foot-1 male.
According to Lion Country Safari, both babies are with their moms. They will be segregated in the maternity pen to allow bonding time.
Female giraffes reproduce year-round beginning at about 4 years of age. Their conception peak is usually during the rainy season, and their gestation lasts approximately 15 months. Giraffe calves are born while the mother is in a standing position, and they drop to the ground head first.
The average life expectancy of a giraffe is 25 years.