Birthing and Breeding

Birthing and Breeding

Birthing and Breeding Birthing and breeding season takes place December through March. Adult male seals (bulls) and large sub-adult male seals begin to arrive in late November, with most arriving in December. As they arrive, males lay claim to a section of the beach –...
Delayed Implantation

Delayed Implantation

Delayed Implantation Shortly before a female leaves the rookery after birthing and nursing her pup, she will mate several times and become pregnant. She leaves the rookery for two to three months, returning in April or May for a month on the beach to molt. Once she...
Fasting

Fasting

Fasting Except for nursing pups, all of the seals in the rookery are fasting – no food and no water for their entire stay. They survive by metabolizing their blubber, providing energy, nourishment, and water. Water is one of the by- products of using fats for energy;...
Sonification

Sonification

Sonification A recent study produced some results and a presentation that is very interesting. Data on the tracking of 321 adult female seals were used to produce a “chorus” that captured some characteristics of their sea voyages-roughly 80 days post breeding and 200...
Age Classes

Age Classes

Age Classes Northern elephant seals can be categorized into multiple classes based on their age and gender. Females mature earlier than males and reach adulthood several years before males do. Pup = less than 1 month Super Weaner = 1 – 12 months Weanling = 1...
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