This northern elephant seal pup weighs between 60-80 pounds and is just over 3-feet long.   It will gain approximately 10 pounds a day.  It will nurse for 28-30 days then begin its hard life when its mother abandons it at this time.  But at about 300+ pounds at 4-weeks old, it should be able to survive on the beach until April when it is likely to make its first foray into the sea.  Yes, each elephant seal pup/weaner must learn to swim and hunt on its own. 

 

If this e-seal survives the first year, it is among the lucky 50 percent.  If it makes it to age 3, it, again has beat the odds.  Less than 20 percent of juvenile elephant seals live past age three.

 

For more information about northern elephant seals, visit www.elephantseal.org.  To see the full series of this birth visit the Friends of the Elephant Seal Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-the-Elephant-Seal/133598726694263