Baby Seal Receives Swimming Lesson in Antarctica
Weddell seals teach their pups to swim under the ice.
1Challenging Shoots in Antarctica
Kaitlin Allen and her team use GoPros to film marine life in Antarctica. However, they cannot see what is being recorded during the shoot. This means the team only sees the footage after retrieving the device and connecting it to a computer.
2Unique Behavior of Weddell Seals
Weddell seals are among the rare marine mammals that teach their pups to swim. While other species wean their pups and leave them to learn on their own, Weddell seals actively train their young.
3Swimming Lesson Under the Ice
A video captured in 2015 shows a Weddell seal teaching its pup to swim under the ice. The mother seal waits in the water, and the pup learns to hold its breath for the first time to find her.
4Finding the Breathing Hole
The pup learns to locate breathing holes in the ice. The mother seal accompanies the pup during this process and helps it exit the water when needed.
5Importance of Iron Transfer
Weddell seals transfer a significant amount of iron to their pups through milk. This iron enables the seals to hold their breath for extended periods. Mother seals lose approximately 300 pounds during this process.
6Significance of Scientific Research
Allen and her team are studying the iron transfer process in Weddell seals. This research helps understand how a loss that would be harmful to humans works effectively in seals.
Original article: Popular Science — Antarktika'da Bebek Fokun Yüzme Dersi