How do seals give birth?

Female seals (called cows) give birth to their pups on ice floes or rookeries, which are large breeding grounds. The gestation period varies depending on the species of seal, but it typically lasts around 9-12 months.

When the time comes to give birth, the female seal will move to a sheltered location on the ice or beach. She will use her foreflippers to dig a birthing chamber, which is a shallow depression in the ice or sand. Some species of seals, such as the harbor seal, may give birth in the water without creating a birthing chamber.

Once the birthing chamber is ready, the female seal will lie down and prepare to give birth. The labor process can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the species. The pup is born head-first, and the female seal will then lick and groom it.

After the pup is born, the female seal will nurse it with her milk. Seal milk is very high in fat, which helps the pups to grow and develop quickly. The pups will remain with their mothers for several weeks or even months, depending on the species. During this time, they will learn to swim, hunt, and survive in their environment.

When the pups are old enough to be independent, they will leave their mothers and join the rest of the seal colony.