Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes wedelli) pup with mother behind

Weddell seals are animals of the ice. They live further south than any other mammal. Between the end of August and early November in the southern hemisphere spring, the females haul themselves out of holes in the ice and give birth to their pups. When born, Weddell seal pups look like unstuffed pyjama cases, all skin and flippers and not much content. Over the next few weeks the change in mother and pup is like one balloon deflating and filling up another.