March

Adult males that arrived in December leave the beach. They have lost as much as 40% of their weight, after fasting for over three months. The older weanlings will begin to make their way to the near-shore waters. For those raised on the higher, distant parts of the beach, this will be their first contact with the ocean.

Swimming, holding their breath and developing their underwater vision, are all parts of “swim school” for these weanlings. At sea they will be finding food, both day and night, at depths that have little or no light. Because much of their swim practice occurs at night, we miss out on most of it. They develop their swim muscles and increase the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood and muscles. They gain abilities to control the circulation of blood while diving.

One by one, as they feel ready, they go to sea and begin a foraging trip that will bring them back to the rookery in the fall. Finding food is a skill they will develop as they travel.