Newly born Weddell seal pups have to be some of the worlds cutest creatures as they flop about the
ice in the early days after their birth, not able to co-ordinate their over-sized flippers
before they grow into them.
The mother arrives pregnant and with enough resources of blubber and
protein to double the 25kg (55lb) birth weight of a pup in 10 days. She
doesn't feed for about the first month and goes from an extremely plump
barrel shape just before she gives birth to a skinny shadow of her former
self with ribs visible while the pup
reverses the process.
Photo; © Paul Ward - Pentax equipment,
100mm
lens, 35mm film, K64.
This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without
prior written permission.
