Newborn Northern Elephant Seal, Central California
Mother and newborn pup Northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, central California coast. This newborn pup had just been born minutes before this photo was taken. Placental material, seen in the background, has attracted sea gulls who will consume it. The pup will be weaned surprisingly fast, in as little 2-3 weeks. Until that time the pup will consume its mother’s rich milk and build up a thick layer of blubber, which it will live off of for another 1-2 months before it ventures into the sea to forage and hunt for itself.
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| Northern elephant seal, mother and neonate pup, gulls eating placenta. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA. Image: 00945 Species: Mirounga angustirostris Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA |
Sandy beach near Piedras Blancas lighthouse, central California.
Keywords: northern elephant seal, elephant seal photo, birth, mating, mother, pup, baby, weaning, weaned.
