Nicole Teutschel at UC Santa Cruz Long Marine Lab, CA-- Looking around the harems at Año Nuevo this time of year you see fighting males, females leaving the beach, and pups constantly being weaned. However, few weaners are hanging around the harems...where do the rest of the weaners go?

Weaners are what we call E Seal pups after they've been weaned. Pups are born and nursed for only 27 days before their mother simply takes off, often while the pups are fast asleep. Thus leaving the weaners to fend for themselves on the beach.

A big pup and his mother. This pup is large enough that he is likely about to be weaned. Photo: Nicole Teutschel

Weanlings then embark on the "post weaning fast" or more simply put, they use their newly acquired fat stores to fast for a couple months before braving the North Pacific Ocean. Many wonder: If the weaners are fasting...why can't we see them in the harems?  Weaners get picked on.

A weaner all alone up on the dunes. Photo: Nicole Teutschel

Weaners aren't used to not having an endless supply of rich milk...so many try to nurse from of other females. Sometimes this pays off, and the weaner will become HUGE, these double mother sucklers are called "super weaners".

A super weaner. This pup is HUGE, easily 500 pounds! Photo: Nicole Teutschel

Most of the time though, E Seal moms are not enthused when pups and weaners try to sneak back into the harems. They bite, growl, and fight to protect their pups and milk! Weaners face a cold reality when mom's gone.  It doesn't take long before weaners get tired of running from males, getting bit by females, and that cold water at high tide. Weaners travel up the beach, over the dunes, in bushes, back in the "willows", and often in the big puddles that form in the meadows behind the beaches. They're pretty hilarious, forming what we affectionately call "weaner piles" left and right in the dunes.

Two weaners just outside of a harem. They're all alone! Photo: Nicole Teutschel

Photo: Nicole Teutschel

A group of weaners "hiding" in a puddle behind the dunes. Photo: Lauren Randall.