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Newborns
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This photo was taken at the Ano Nuevo State Reserve.
Newborn elephant seals have black fur and wrinkled skin: black to absorb the heat of the sun as they lay on the cold beach in winter, wrinkled skin to accommodate their rapid growth in the first few weeks of their lives. Their mothers' milk contains over 50% fat, compared to the 4% in cow's milk. The newborn in the foreground is suckling.
Seagulls hang around the rookery to eat the placenta that comes out with the new births.
Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
During most of January and February, while males fight for dominance, females are birthing and nursing pups. Females usually give birth to a single pup approximately six days after they have landed. The first pup is born around mid-November.
A new-born pup weighs around 70 pounds. It has a black coat of fur. Immediately after birth, the mother and pup become familiar with each other by sniffing and calling each other
The females nurse their young for 28 days, losing two pounds for every pound their pup gains. Females do not eat during the four to six weeks they spend on land and she can lose 300 to 500 pounds. An elephant seals' milk is extremely rich, reaching 54.5% fat during the final week of lactation.
There is significant juvenile mortality that results from separations of mothers. Pups cannot swim at birth. Consequently they are vulnerable to storms and disturbance. Mortality rates of pups have been high in recent years due to increasing populations and severe storms. Territorial disputes and stormy surf conditions can separate a mother and pup. This intensifies their need to recognize vocalizations. The El Nino of 1972, 1983, 1992, and 1997 had dramatic impacts on one or more of the populations' vital rates of pup births, pup growth and survival.
Generally mothers nurse only their own pup. Sometimes, young mothers or females who have lost a pup allow orphans to nurse. Some sly pups nurse from two or three females reaching weights up to 600 pounds. They are called "superweaners."
The pups are approximately 27 days old when their mothers leave them permanently. The female mates, then leaves her pup and returns to the ocean. When females leave the rookery, they are weak and unhealthy. They swim immediately for the continental shelf to search for food.
Source |
fiyo, Dando, PDP, liquidsunshine, loot, Luc has marked this note useful
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- fiyo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 924 W: 5 N: 2259]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(8370) - [2006-02-15 11:48]
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Hello Manyee,
Very well composed, and the details, sharpness and lighting are excellent.Well done
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- Dando
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3052) - [2006-02-15 12:09]
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Nice composition Manyee, I like the way the seals blend in with the sand. Great colours and lighting. TFS.
Dean.
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- PDP
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(11755) - [2006-02-15 18:18]
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Hello Manyee, they are very cute when they are that size. They looks like big bags of fat, which is what I suppose they are really!
Nice work.
Good capture Manyee,
Good detail, colours and sharpness.
Composition and exposure are good. Good POV and notes.
Thanks for posting, enjoy the rest of the week.
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- loot
(9137)
- [2006-02-15 21:40]
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Hi Manyee
Not really what I would call your average family photo. Reading your notes on the infant mortality rates and the devastation they've encountered through the years it is good to see the number of young ones.
Good POV, exposure, colour, and details. Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot
