Harbor Seals Young & Old

Dave called the other day so excited about the first baby seal born on the dock.
Here he is. Isn't he cute!


HARBOR SEAL BABIES

•Harbor Seal pups are usually about two feet long and twenty to twenty-four pounds at birth.

• Harbor Seal pups are recognized by their mothers by sound and smell.

•After weaning,Harbor Seal pups first learn to catch shrimp and other small crustaceans.

•Harbor Seals give birth to a single pup in Spring.

•Baby Harbor Seals are either born in the water or on land.

•Baby Harbor Seals have a crying sound that is much like the sound "Maa!".

• Baby Harbor Seals are weaned after six weeks of drinking their mothers' milk.

• The gestation period for Harbor Seals is nine months.
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•Adult Harbor Seals can grow from about four and a half to six and a half feet long .

•Harbor seals can live a maximum of twenty-five to thirty years. Males have a shorter lifespan, which may be due to the stress of fighting during breeding seasons.

•Harbor Seals are sometimes preyed upon by killer whales, sharks, polar bears, Steller sea lions, walruses, coyotes, and eagles.

•You can sometimes tell a Harbor Seal's age by the number of growth rings in its teeth, but it may bite you if you try!

•Harbor Seals' flippers used to be hind legs!

•Harbor Seals can hold their breath underwater for up to fifteen minutes!

•Harbor Seals sleep on the bottom for up to fifteen minutes!