<P> Bulls engage in a behaviour known as mate - guarding, where they follow oestrous females and defend them from other males . Most mate - guarding is done by musth males, and females actively seek to be guarded by them, particularly older ones . Thus these bulls have more reproductive success . Musth appears to signal to females the condition of the male, as weak or injured males do not have normal musths . For young females, the approach of an older bull can be intimidating, so her relatives stay nearby to provide support and reassurance . During copulation, the male lays his trunk over the female's back . The penis is very mobile, being able to move independently of the pelvis . Prior to mounting, it curves forward and upward . Copulation lasts about 45 seconds and does not involve pelvic thrusting or ejaculatory pause . Elephant sperm must swim close to 2 m (6.6 ft) to reach the egg . By comparison, human sperm has to swim around only 76.2 mm (3.00 in). </P> <P> Homosexual behaviour is frequent in both sexes . As in heterosexual interactions, this involves mounting . Male elephants sometimes stimulate each other by playfighting and "championships" may form between old bulls and younger males . Female same - sex behaviours have been documented only in captivity where they are known to masturbate one another with their trunks . </P> <P> Gestation in elephants typically lasts around two years with interbirth intervals usually lasting four to five years . Births tend to take place during the wet season . Calves are born 85 cm (33 in) tall and weigh around 120 kg (260 lb). Typically, only a single young is born, but twins sometimes occur . The relatively long pregnancy is maintained by five corpus luteums (as opposed to one in most mammals) and gives the foetus more time to develop, particularly the brain and trunk . As such, newborn elephants are precocial and quickly stand and walk to follow their mother and family herd . A new calf is usually the centre of attention for herd members . Adults and most of the other young will gather around the newborn, touching and caressing it with their trunks . For the first few days, the mother is intolerant of other herd members near her young . Alloparenting--where a calf is cared for by someone other than its mother--takes place in some family groups . Allomothers are typically two to twelve years old . When a predator is near, the family group gathers together with the calves in the centre . </P> <P> For the first few days, the newborn is unsteady on its feet, and needs the support of its mother . It relies on touch, smell, and hearing, as its eyesight is poor . It has little precise control over its trunk, which wiggles around and may cause it to trip . By its second week of life, the calf can walk more firmly and has more control over its trunk . After its first month, a calf can pick up, hold, and put objects in its mouth, but cannot suck water through the trunk and must drink directly through the mouth . It is still dependent on its mother and keeps close to her . </P>

What is the name of a young elephant