Page 16 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

Harp seal

A mother’s bond is not so strong

From doting parent to abandonment; harp seal mothers are very quick to give the cold shoulder

After migrating for the winter, the large leaves her pups and never returns. The ice is one another using their sharp teeth and strong
expanse of unforgiving white tundra in the littered with stranded pups, crying for their flippers. They will also call out to grab attention,
south is where the seals retire. Here, icy gales mothers, alone and vulnerable to predators. shouting out over one another in a battle of
tear across frozen seas and the sun glares Mature males take this as their cue to roam vocal cords. Only the loudest and strongest
from the snowy ground. However, a habitat so the ice and look for a mate. When females seals make for potential suitors. What starts
seemingly lifeless holds much significance for leave their young, it’s not long before they are on the ice moves to the water, and copulation
harp seals. Crowds of thousands gather here ready to copulate once again, and they waste takes place submerged in the frosty ocean.
once a year to focus on continuing the species. no time in the search for a partner. Both males Once impregnated, females can delay
Female harp seals are almost always and females breed promiscuously, the rush to implanting, meaning the fertilised egg becomes
pregnant when they arrive here and give birth find a mate apparent before the pack ice melts an embryo, but does not implant in the uterus
to a single pup, usually in late February. While and migration must begin. wall immediately. This extends the gestation
young pups are nursing, the mothers do not eat Courtship begins on the ice through a period from 7.5 to 11.5 months, allowing the seal
and lose up to three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of fierce yet flamboyant display of dominance. enough time to complete migration and return
fat per day. After 12 days, each female abruptly In order to attract a female, males must fight to the pack ice before giving birth.

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