Harp Seal

Immediately after giving birth, the mother seal smells her offspring, and from that point on will only ever feed her own pup, whose scent she remembers. Harp Seal milk contains up to 50% fat, so pups gain over 2kg per day when nursing, which lasts roughly 12 days. During this time the mother does not eat, and will lose up to 3kg per day of body weight. Weaning is very abrupt, the mother simply leaves, and never comes back. The stranded pup will cry at first, and then become very sedentary to conserve body fat. Pups are unable to swim or find food until they are about 25 days old, leaving them very vulnerable to Polar Bears and humans during this time.