Why Do Baby Elephants Suck on their Trunks? Wouldn't we all like to know! When a young elephant is born, it becomes hungry, wanting to nurse right away. Just like human babies, the elephant calf is eager to nurse and the mother elephant encourages this.
For the first six months of its life, the baby elephant will depend almost solely on its mother’s milk for nourishment. Baby elephants can consume up to 3 gallons of milk per day, this is equivalent to 12 liters of milk per day. At times though, the mother may not be available for nursing. When this occurs, the baby elephant will suck on its trunk.
This activity can be compared to how human babies suck on their thumbs for comfort. Human babies are sometimes given pacifiers. These work much the same way. As the baby exercises its sucking reflex, it feels comforted and is able to calm down and fall asleep.
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