Two pups nurse on an elephant seal mother. In spite of the fact that a female only has enough milk to successfully nurse a single pup to weaning, abandoned pups may try to nurse and the inexperienced mothers may not understand that both pups are doomed. Winter, Central California.
Species:
Elephant seal,
Mirounga angustirostris
Location:
Piedras Blancas,
San Simeon,
California
Image ID:
15483