A bandy-legged, wobbly kneed newcomer was stumbling around the Denver Zoo this morning. Timber, a reticulated giraffe with ancestors in sub-Saharan Africa, was born on Aug. 12.
He is the first calf born to mom Heshimu at the zoo.
Timber entered the world already larger than life at 6-foot-2 and 164 pounds.
In the next two years, his height will nearly double to about 12 feet.
Giraffes, the tallest land mammals on earth, can grow to be 17 feet tall. Adult females can weigh up to 2,600 pounds, and males can reach more than 4,200 pounds.
A zoo news release said that Timber had a 15-month gestation period and was healthy and hungry at birth. His mother’s milk will probably sustain him for the next six months.
Timber’s first few days were passed alone with his mother. Now, at 9 days old, he has been unsteadily sauntering around the giraffe yard.
“He has proven to be very independent,” the zoo release said.
Visitors to the Denver Zoo may be able to catch a glimpse of young Timber in the Giraffe House. He, dad Dikembe, aunts Janie and Maskia, as well as his mother are all on exhibit.
Liv Gold: 303-954-1311 or lgold@denverpost.com
