Seals are excellent swimmers and divers and spend most of their time in the water. They are not as fast as dolphins in water but are more flexible and agile. They live in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, mostly in cold northern waters, but many migrate thousands of miles south in winter. Others never go north, but are quite content to remain year-round in warm southern climates. A few kinds of seals are found in fresh water.
A mother seal usually has just one pup a year, born on land, because it cannot swim until she teaches it. She nurses the pup 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 sea creatures. At these times, her pup joins hundreds like itself, all temporarily left alone. When she returns, she barks loudly and several pups may come to her. But the Creator has given her the ability to single out her own pup by its individual odor and its tiny bark which she recognizes. Its hunger is soon satisfied.
The Creator has provided seals with nostrils and ear openings which close automatically when they dive or swim underwater. They also have been given special eyelids to protect their eyes underwater.
In ice-covered waters, they use their sharp teeth to make air vents in the ice where they poke their heads through for fresh air about every 15 minutes. They also crawl out of the same hole to rest occasionally. Sometimes this is dangerous since a hunter or a polar bear may be waiting to catch them. All seals have a layer of blubber to help keep them warm. The blubber, which may be an inch to six inches thick, is also a source of energy when they can find no food.
A seal is graceful in the water, but its travel on land is another story. It has to lift itself up on its webbed flippers, arch its back and push with hind flippers to move forward in mighty jerks. This looks awkward, but they can move fast when necessary.
Seals are quite intelligent and are quick to learn tricks. They can learn to balance balls on the tips of their noses, leap out of the water on command, jump through fiery hoops and other tricks. They are always rewarded with a fish treat.
These creatures with such interesting habits are another example of the wonders of God’s creation. The Bible gives good counsel when it tells us, “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)). Be like King David who did not hesitate to say, “I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee” (Psalm 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-03/15/2015