Translation 2783

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a r uile there is a single pup.
During the first days of lactation
the females spend a considerable part of the- time with their offspring.
In the Course of the lactation period, which lasts for 20
or 30 days, the females become very thin,• and tue pups put on weight
as a result of frequent and aeundant feeding with fat-rich milk.
Yheir daily increase in weight may be as much as 6 kg. After each •
feeding the pups collect in croups outside the harems. • :.11Ch grouping
is observed for a period of four weeks, after wnich • tue pups move
nearer to the water's edge.
At tue age of ten to fifteen days they
begin to moult they'complete the shedding of their embryonic coats
before taking to the water, which happens at tne age of 30-55 days.
Adult females begin to iate from 15 to 20 days after giving '
birth to young, and continue to suckle their pups after the mating
period.
The males gradually leave the females; by Lovember they have
lost interest in them and spend much or the time in the water, where
they food intensively.
for about 11 months.
The harems then break up.. Gestation lasts
It is believed that the maximum duration of life of a female
elephant seal is 12 years, and that of a male 20 years. It is also
believed that thu females attain sexual maLurity al tnu age of two
years, and begin to breed at three years of age'.
irobably the majority
of them begin active breeding, however, when somewhat older (at .
foUr or five years of age;
Males on South Georgia.island become
sexually mature at four years of age, but the indiviluals tnat form .
harems are older (from five to seven years old). On Macquarie Island
the females nate for tne first•time at three to six years of ace; the
males become sexuall y mature in thoir fiftn year, but take part in
harem-formation only when twelve years old.
After the harems break Up and the lactation period ends the
'adults spend some time at sea, and tnen return to -
for the moult.
1 .1e shore rookeries
2he formation of moulting rookeries may extend •from
December Lo 'C'ebruary, depending on the area in which the seals live.
On an average the moulting period lasts for from ';,o
to 40 days, but •
tne dates or moul Lin may differ in different age and sex .; .roups.
"hon the mull. ends moht of Lie seals leave the rookeries and go out
to sea, where they feed intensively and seldon visit the snor e .
Tue prinCiel food items of .elepnant seats iu.e fishes and
'
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