Seals live both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, mostly in cold northern waters, but many migrate thousands of miles south in the winter. Others never go north, but are quite content to remain year-long in warm southern climates.
A mother seal usually has just one pup a year, born on land because it cannot swim until she teaches it.
She nurses it for about four months, and during this time she frequently leaves it for several days while she goes after her own food shrimp, clams, fish and other seafood. At these times her pup joins hundreds like itself, all temporarily left alone. When she returns she barks loudly and a number of these youngsters come to her. But she is only interested in her own, and the Creator has given her the ability to pick it out by its individual odor and its tiny bark which she recognizes. Its hunger is soon satisfied with her rich, nourishing milk.
The first three weeks of the gray seal’s life are very dangerous. Hunters kill them in great numbers for their soft, woolly, pure-white coat. But, thankfully, many people are now trying to stop this cruel practice.
The Creator has provided seals with nostrils and ear openings that close automatically when they go below the surface as well as special lids that protect their eyes underwater. They don’t even need to think about these things. It all happens automatically.
In ice-covered waters they make air vents with their sharp teeth. They poke their heads through the vents for fresh air about every 15 minutes. They also crawl out of the same hole to rest occasionally. But this is dangerous since an Eskimo or a polar bear may be waiting to catch them when they show up.
A seal is graceful in the water, but its travel on land is another story. There it has to lift itself up on its webbed flippers, arch its back, push with its hind flippers, and in great jerks move forward. This looks awkward, but they can move fast when necessary. They are considered to be very intelligent and are quick to learn tricks such as balancing a ball on the tip of their nose, leaping out of the water on command, jumping through fiery hoops, etc. They are always popular actors at aquariums.
These creatures with such interesting habits are another example of the wonders of God’s creation. The Bible gives good counsel when declaring, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Pay no attention to the false teachings of evolution, but rather be as the Psalmist who did not hesitate to say, “I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee.” Psalms 9:1, 21<<To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.>> I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. 2I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. (Psalm 9:1‑2).
ML-02/24/1985