Description
The females arrive at the rookery for the birthing and breeding season starting in December. Within a week of their arrival, they give birth to their pup. They nurse their pup with fat rich milk for only about 28 days. After this, the pup is weaned from mothers milk. The mother will then mate with an alpha male and return to the sea. The weanling will stay on the beach another 6-8 weeks learning to swim and developing physiology that is needed for its official life at sea as an elephant seal.
The mother will recognize the pups vocalizations immediately after birth, and the pup will recognize its mothers voice within a week after birth. It is essential they know each other’s voice so as to not get separated on the busy rookery during the birthing season.
Pick up your post card today to remember the lovely sights of a mom and pup bonding.
- 4″x 6″
- Name Dropped: Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, San Simeon, California
