Elephant seal pups are only a month or two old, but they are being weaned, their first big step to independence. They go from birth weight of around 70 pounds to 200 pounds – or more – in that first month.
They are loud! Visitors hear them as soon as they get out of their cars at the Piedras Blancas viewpoint parking lot. Listen for all three distinct calls: the squawking of the pups, the barking of their mothers, and the bellowing of the bulls.
Weaner pods
Look for them in groups, called pods, on the beach. Weaner pups are easy to recognize. They are fat, even roly-poly.
They were born all black, but they shed that black coat in their first molt. Now they are countershaded, light on the belly and dark on the back. Many marine animals have that color pattern, helping camouflage them from their predators.
Weaning is a major transition in elephant seal life. Pups go from gaining weight fast, 200 pounds or more of blubber in a month, to metabolizing that blubber to sustain them for eight to 12 weeks.
No food now
Long fasts, periods of not eating, are a feature of elephant seal life. Their mothers didn’t eat for the month they nursed the pups. Bulls on the beach may not eat for 100 days. This is the pups’ first fast.
This mother is so thin, her pelvic bones stick out. But her fat pup keeps nursing. He’s ready to wean!
Perfect photo and explanation of mom’s body changes/ energy transfer from mom to pup!
Love this column Christine!