A baby elephant had so much fun playing with a ball at the Smithsonian Zoo, and everyone is absolutely obsessed with her!
In an adorable video posted to TikTok, the baby elephant named Linh Mai was spotted playing with a ball during play time. In the video, a visitor recorded Linh Mai while she playfully pushed a ball around her habitat, while her mom kept a close eye on her. In the text overlay, the visitor encouraged people to “see the baby elephant at the Smithsonian Zoo,” and added in the caption, “She’s the cutest baby in the world.”
People online also fell in love with Linh Mai and her adorable antics, with users commenting, “She is so sweet and cute.”
“She’s precious,” one user said, while another added, “I have to go,” after they saw her playful side in the video.
The internet previously fell in love with Linh Mai when her story went viral online after she was adopted by another elephant at the habitat. Linh Mai was born back in February and was rejected by her mother. However, an older elephant named Swarna took her place and raised the baby as her own.
In a statement shared by the zoo, they revealed that “Although Swarna has never birthed a calf herself, she is a natural when it comes to instinctively caring for one. Swarna displays just the right balance of ‘maternal care’ along with giving Linh Mai some independence.”
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How Fast Do Baby Elephants Grow?
An elephant’s gestational period typically lasts 22 months, and the babies can weigh up to 200 pounds at birth. From then on, a baby calf relies on their mother for milk and protection, especially during the first two years of life.
According to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, “Elephant Weight increases rapidly as they consume nutrient-rich mother’s milk, which is high in fat and protein.” These nutrients are “essential for building the strong muscles and bones needed to keep up with the herd which makes a huge size of baby elephant when born.”
Additionally, “baby elephants are often covered in a layer of thick, dark hair” when they’re born.”
“This hair doesn’t just provide warmth; it plays a crucial role in thermoregulation, helping to dissipate heat from their fast-growing bodies in hot climates,” they continued. “As the elephant matures and its body adapts better to the environment, these hairs gradually thin out and shed, giving way to the thick, grey skin characteristic of adults.”
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance added that as they grow, “A baby elephant puts on about 2 to 3 pounds a day during their first year of life.”
“Baby elephants spend their days practicing making all four legs go in the same direction at the same time,” they continued. “[The babies spend time] perfecting their ear flaring, and mastering the all-important trunk control.”
Related: Baby Elephant Rejected by Her Mom Finds the Most Loving Adopter
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Aug 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.