Seals usually give birth every year
and are pregnant for up to 11 months.
So making sure this pup is independent
so she can have another
means she’s on a tight schedule.
There’s no time for messing about.
It’s straight down to business.
This newborn needs to join his mother underwater
at only two weeks old.
Mum encourages him to take the plunge.
The icy pool doesn’t look that inviting.
She has to give him a good tug.
Once in,
he has to learn essential survival skills.
Getting to know the local landscape underwater
and the best routes to breathing holes.
A youngster like this should be able to hold their breath
for up to 19 minutes.
Her pup needs to practise this.
The longer he can hold his breath,
the more chance he has of outrunning predators
like leopard seals and killer whales.
Luckily, when it comes to learning fast,
seal pups have a natural advantage.
They are born with huge brains,
already 70% the size of their mother’s.
Humans, on the other hand,
are born with a brain just 25% the size of their parents’.
The seal pup’s large brain
means they can reach independence sooner.
Lessons progress quickly.
If you thought getting in was hard,
getting out is even harder.
Mum tries coaxing from above.
Success.
A quick “well done”
and it’s on with the next class.
