Babies of different animals start learning important skills at an early age. A seal pup, for example, begins learning to swim at only 2 weeks old. A recent video capturing a seal pup’s first swim has delighted many animal enthusiasts online.
Seal mothers give birth annually, with a gestation period of 11 months. This short interval compels them to nurture their pups’ independence quickly. The video opens with a seal mother and her pup on icy terrain. The little pup calls to his mother several times.
At just 2 weeks old, the seal pup must start learning to swim, guided by his mother. The mother seal first swims underwater, then surfaces near her pup, encouraging him to join her. Initially hesitant, the pup seems unsure about diving in the icy cold water.
The mother seal gently nudges her pup underwater, where he joyfully swims around her. Rapidly learning essential survival skills is crucial for the pup. He must familiarize himself with underwater landscapes and locate breathing holes efficiently.
A young seal pup can hold his breath for up to 19 minutes, a skill vital for evading predators. This pup, therefore, needs to practice extending his breath-holding capability. Together with his mother, he explores underwater, honing this crucial skill.
Remarkably, seal pups are born with brains nearly 70% the size of their mothers’, an advantage in quickly acquiring new skills. In comparison, human infants have brains that are about 25% the size of adult humans. This significant brain size aids seal pups in gaining independence rapidly.
After a while, the pup tries to surface but struggles to exit the water. Despite his mother’s encouragement from above, the pup faces difficulty. However, after several attempts, he successfully emerges. Sharing this heartwarming video with loved ones is delightful because it showcases the incredible learning journey of young seals.
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