Mating season occurs in late spring through fall

Return to the same breeding grounds every year

Before the pupping season, males and females participate in pre-mating activity such as rolling, bubble-blowing

True mating occurs after pupping season, males initiate with chasing, neck and flipper biting, and embracing

Females respond by growling, head-thrusting, and flipper-waving.

A female has two mammary glands on her lower abdomen

Nurse both on land and in the water

Nurses for about one minute every three to four hours

Pups nurse for four to six weeks

Female is an attentive parent during the nursing period

Can recognize their own pups by vocalizations and by smell

After the pup is weaned the female no longer has interest in the pup

Total gestation of about 9-11 months

Includes delayed implantation which assures that the pup will be born during good conditions

Females generally give birth to one pup each year

Multiple births are extremly rare

Give birth on land, ice, or in water