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Project Noah Nature School
Phoca vitulina
Came across this little guy all alone on the beach. Was worried there was something wrong. Then I noticed his mama watching from the water, but he was headed in a path that would have been more difficult for him, and there were dogs about, (that's what got him moving, in the first place), so I herded him along a better path to her.
Spotted on May 15, 2011
Submitted on May 15, 2011
13 Comments
so cute
Good job!
so cutee! good thing you knew what to do :)
So sweet!
I think of those motherfuckers who would like to slay it to pieces for a shit bargain hanging on an " elegant" woman ...
According to Marianne Riedman "The Pinnipeds" pups and adults eyesight is better adapted for seeing underwater and are somewhat nearsighted on land (they see better in bright sunlight). Smell (like monkey-mind says) might be much more important when mothers and pups are trying to find each other.
When pups are first born the two make a point of frequently sniffing each others noses, though I don't see much body sniffing. Not quite sure how they do find each other but I think smell plays a big part like monkey- mind says
maybe they just relay more on their sense of smell...
Do young pups have poor eyesight? As he was headed to the ocean, he was going toward large rocks that were blocking his access toward water, and the only explanation I could come up with was that he could not see well.
Hi Gale, thanks! I am fairly certain it is the same pup, though I can't be 100% The timing and placement was right for it to be, but there was a span of time that I did not see it. They certainly looked similar.
There is a marine mammal mission which it would be great to add this to.
Good job!! I study harbor seals and help with a local rescue organization here in Maine. It is always best to leave a pup, call a rescue group and keep a distant eye on it until they can asses it and know it is in trouble.
But you were in a pickle since it was headed towards humans and dogs, it is great you observed its mother in the water and herded it rather than trying to touch it ... it takes experience to handle a pup, they can pack a painful and in some cases harmful bite (often carry a virus that is pretty nasty) especially once they get their pup teeth.
Thanks for showing this cutey and describing your response to its predicament! Is the second photo of the same pup with its mother? If so whoopee!!
Very cute and adorable..!!
Thanks!