Like cattle, giraffes have 4 teats on a well-developed inguinal udder supported by strong suspensory ligaments.
Calves nurse standing, reaching up between the mother's hind legs; the udder sits approximately 6 feet off the ground.
Higher fat content (~12.5%) than cow's milk, with high protein concentration; supports the calf's rapid early growth.
Requires a specialized tall stanchion or restraint system; a gentle approach is essential as giraffes can deliver powerful kicks.
Very rich and creamy, noticeably thicker than cow's milk. Mildly sweet with a slightly grassy, herbaceous undertone. Pale yellow color from high fat content. Described as similar to full-cream goat's milk.
Over 3x the fat of cow's milk, supporting calves that grow ~2.5 cm/day in height. Calcium is very high (~300 mg/100g) — critical for the calf's rapidly extending skeletal system. Phosphorus content (~200 mg/100g) matches the calcium demands.
Exceptionally high in vitamin A and vitamin E. Rich in iron (~1.2 mg/100g) and magnesium. Contains elevated levels of vitamin D, likely related to the species' sun-exposed savanna habitat. Potassium levels are high.
One of the highest-fat milks among ungulates — evolved to fuel a calf that must stand and run within hours of birth. Fat content increases significantly as lactation progresses. The high energy density offsets infrequent nursing bouts, as calves nurse for only a few minutes at a time.