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Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Aspects of Lactation in the Crab-Eater Seal (Lobodon-Carcinophagus)

B Green, A Fogerty, JA Libke, K Newgrain and P Shaughnessy

Australian Journal of Zoology 41(3) 203 - 213
Published: 1993

Abstract

Milk samples were obtained from seven crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) at various stages of lactation. The milk was high in solids (67%), with lipid (51%) accounting for most of the solids and energy. The fatty acid profiles were similar to the milk of other phocid seals and to krill, the major dietary item. Our preliminary results from four animals suggest that about 90 L of milk are transferred from the cow to the pup during the lactation period, estimated to be 17 days in length.

https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9930203

© CSIRO 1993

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