Vimeo Science Video

Mammals need oxygen (O2) to make energy. If you hold your breath, your body uses the O2 stored inside to keep working. Harbor seals hold their breath when they hunt underwater, so the more O2 they store inside, the longer they can hunt. Pups begin diving with their mom early in life to help their body grow large red blood cells (RBC) for O2 storage. But if moms and pups are separated, the pup may need to visit a wildlife rehab center.