Short but Sweet
Elephant seal mothers stay with their pups about a month after birth. During that time they have to (1) keep the pups, who cannot swim, from being washed away by waves (2) keep them from being trampled by bulls fighting for control of the beach and (3) wean the pups, who must gain about 300lbs in this time, while the mother--who does not eat--loses that and much more. When the month is up the mother--who is now starving--has to set off and leave the pup to fend for itself. Elephant seal mother and pup, Piedras Blancas, California.
Short but Sweet
Elephant seal mothers stay with their pups about a month after birth. During that time they have to (1) keep the pups, who cannot swim, from being washed away by waves (2) keep them from being trampled by bulls fighting for control of the beach and (3) wean the pups, who must gain about 300lbs in this time, while the mother--who does not eat--loses that and much more. When the month is up the mother--who is now starving--has to set off and leave the pup to fend for itself. Elephant seal mother and pup, Piedras Blancas, California.