Elephant Seal Pup Losing the Wrinkles

Comparison of screen captures from the remote camera over the past 2 days shows that the pup must be nursing well as his wrinkled skin is gradually becoming filled in. The mother will lose up to 40% of her weight while nursing. She will stay with the pup, not returning to the water for several weeks. At that time the pup will have increased in weight and have the adequate fat storage to last it several weeks before it goes to the water on its own and starts to feed.