First Steps Andy's Baby Animals

# Andy's baby animals

# If you're a polar bear and you're going somewhere

# Andy's baby animals

# Or an elephant calf then you better take care

# Andy's baby animals

# If you're a capuchin learning how to eat

# An ostrich chick trying to beat a retreat

# Andy's baby animals

# Andy's baby animals

# If you're a black bear looking for a tree to climb

# Andy's baby animals

# Or a penguin chasing Mum at breakfast time

# Andy's baby animals

# An orangutan trying to make a bed

# Or a meerkat struggling with a sleepy head

# Andy's baby animals

# Andy's baby animals

# We're stronger every day Watch them try and laugh and play

# Andy's baby animals Andy's baby animals. #

You're hungry, aren't you? Hello, I'm Andy and this is Luna.

She's a giraffe.

She's not even two years old yet, but she's taller than me.

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world

and their legs are so long, it looks as if they're on stilts.

You would think baby giraffes have a hard time

of taking their first steps, but when they're born in the wild,

it only takes them half an hour before they're standing up

and they can walk from just a day old.

Which is incredible!

For some baby animals, just standing up can be tricky.

First stop, Kenya in Africa.

Look at these elephants! Aren't they magnificent?

You see those big ears? That's how you know they're African elephants.

African elephants have the biggest ears in the world.

Elephants are great mums. They have really close families.

An elephant family is a herd.

Look! It's a new-born baby. An elephant calf.

She's only a few minutes old. Incredible.

She hasn't even stood up yet.

It's hard standing up when you're as heavy as an elephant.

So Mum's there to lend a helping hand.

Or a trunk. Thanks, Mum!

Time for a nice drink of milk. Yummy!

She'll get milk from Mum until she's three years old.

She's mastered standing. What about walking?

Whoops! Steady.

There's a lot of elephant for a young one to control.

I think she's getting the hang of it.

All the grown-ups in the herd will help take care of this young calf.

It's like living with your aunties all the time.

Trouble is, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Now she knows how to walk, she wants to explore.

Careful! You mustn't leave the safety of the family.

Because when the family gets ready to go, you have to go with them.

Come on, you can do it.

It's pretty tough being a new-born elephant, but Mum will always

be on hand to help you get over life's stumbling blocks.

# Andy's baby animals Andy's baby animals. #

Over to Russia now.

Lots of baby animals take tricky first steps.

These mandarin ducks are beautiful. Just look at those colours.

Now, if you think ducks only live in water, think again.

Because these ducks are born halfway up a tree.

Imagine that!

That's mum at the entrance to her nest. Coo-ee!

She's not as colourful as the dad, but she's still beautiful.

And those are her ducklings.

This mum nests right up here to keep her babies safe.

Because who's going to try and get up there?

She's got nine ducklings to look after,

but how are they going to get down?

Don't worry, Mum's got a plan.

Mum's first to leave the nest. She can fly down.

Her ducklings have to follow. There's no food up there.

But they're just one day old and they can't fly yet.

The ducklings are going to need to take a leap of faith,

so Mum makes a special sound to give them the encouragement they need.

What's she saying? She's telling her ducklings to come on down.

It's a huge drop for a tiny duckling, though.

Don't worry, I'm sure Mum knows what she's doing.

What a star! Whee!

Hey-hey! And landing doesn't hurt.

They're so light that all those fluffy feathers turn them

into a soft, bouncy ball.

So, that's one down. Come on, then, you lot.

Two, three, four,

five, six, seven.

Come on, what about the last two?

Oh!

Eight, nine.

Oh! Well done.

All the ducklings are down safely.

But their journey isn't over yet. Look at them go.

That's it, get your breath back, guys,

because now Mum's taking you to a new home.

Ducklings are really quick learners.

Not only can they walk, but they can also swim.

And they're just one day old. How's that for first steps?

# Andy's baby animals Andy's baby animals. #

Now we're off to the Arctic. Brr!

Look at all that snow!

We're on top of the world.

Brr! It's a bit cold, though.

But not for a polar bear. There's Mum.

She's been tucked up in her den all winter. Must be good to get out.

Whee!

Go on, have a good stretch. Oh!

Oh, look, she's got a baby cub.

There's two of them. Careful, you two.

Snow may look nice and solid, but it's a bit...slippy.

Whoops!

These two are only two months old.

They're taking their first steps... on the snow.

And if that's not tricky enough, they're at the top...of a hill!

Why'd you build your den up there, Mum?

So other animals can't get to it.

It keeps her cubs safe, but it doesn't make it easy for them.

Will her young one make the leap? Go on.

Yes! Well done.

Polar bear cubs learn to ski, walk and climb all at the same time.

It's a good job that they're the only bear with fur

on the bottom of their feet. It's like wearing snow boots.

Aren't they doing well?

But Mum wants to get on.

So she'll have to point them in the right direction.

They're off to find some food.

Getting across slippery snow is one thing for a polar bear,

but when snow melts, it makes an ice rink. And bears don't have skates.

Sometimes, it's best to give up trying to walk and slide instead.

That's the way!

For elephant calves, mandarin ducklings, polar bear cubs

and baby giraffes, taking their first steps can be tricky.

See you next time!