Page 74 - An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (DK)

Seal

The harp seal’s name comes from the markings on the

male’s back that look a bit like the musical instrument.

B orn on ice floating in the freezing Arctic Ocean, harp seals

have a tough start to life. Luckily each pup has a “babygrow”

of white fur to keep it warm. Its mother’s milk is as rich as cream. It
helps the pup create a warm layer of fat called blubber under its

skin. The pups shed their fluffy coat after only three weeks.

All seals come ashore to breed. They can’t walk, so they flop around

on their bellies instead. Below the waves, however, a seal’s flippers
and smooth fur turn them into fast and stylish swimmers. In the myths

of northwest Europe, seal-shaped creatures called selkies could step
out of their skin and become humans.

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