Seals usually give birth every year and are pregnant for up to 11 months. So making sure this pup is independent so she can have another means she's on a tight schedule. There's no time for messing about. It's straight down to business.
This newborn needs to join his mother underwater at only two weeks old. Mum encourages him to take the plunge.
The icy pool doesn't look that inviting. She has to give him a good tug. Once in,
he has to learn essential survival skills.
Getting to know the local landscape underwater and the best routes to breathing holes.
A youngster like this should be able to hold their breath for up to 19 minutes.
Her pup needs to practise this.
Humans, on the other hand, are born with a brain just 25% the size of their parents'.
The seal pup’s large brain means they can reach independence sooner.
Lessons progress quickly. If you thought getting in was hard,
getting out is even harder. Mum tries coaxing from above. Success. A quick “well done”
and it's on with the next class.
Learning to swim is an important milestone for young seals, particularly for species like harbor seals and grey seals, which typically give birth on land but rely on the water for survival. When a two-week-old seal starts to swim, it's often a gradual process that involves a mix of instinctual behaviors and learning from their mothers.
At around two weeks old, seal pups begin to explore the water under the guidance of their mothers. Here's how this process typically unfolds:
1. Mother's Guidance: Seal mothers play a crucial role in teaching their pups how to swim. They will gently encourage their pups into shallow waters and demonstrate swimming techniques by gliding gracefully through the water. The mother stays close to her pup, providing security and reassurance.
2. Instinctual Behavior: Seal pups have natural instincts for swimming, which include paddling with their flippers and using their bodies to stay buoyant in the water. These instincts are crucial for survival, as swimming enables seals to find food, evade predators, and navigate their marine environment.
3. Practice and Exploration: As the seal pup gains confidence in the water, it will start to venture further and explore its surroundings. Pups often engage in playful behaviors while swimming, such as chasing after each other or practicing diving.
4. Development of Skills: Over time, the seal pup's swimming abilities improve through practice and experience. It learns how to dive deeper, maneuver more efficiently, and become proficient at catching fish and other prey.
Learning to swim is essential for the survival of seal pups, as it allows them to access vital resources in their aquatic habitat. The process of learning to swim also strengthens the bond between mother and pup, which is crucial for the pup's overall development and well-being.
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