ANIMAL: Elephant seals
Why are they called elephant seals? The large proboscis of the adult male (bull), resembles an elephant’s trunk! It can make loud roaring noises!
Is there more than one species? There are two species of elephant seals: northern elephant seals and southern and southern elephant seals.
Where are they located? Northern elephant seals can be found in California and Baja California. A great view point is along the San Simeon coastline in California (the pictures were all taken there). Southern elephant seals live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters. Both species spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean!
What do they eat? They are carnivores focusing primarily on squid and fish, but also sharks, rays, algae, shellfish and krill.
How much do they weigh? Elephant seals are the largest carnivores in exsistence, weighing up to 8,800 pounds. Their body is completely covered in blubber!
How big are they? They can reach up to 20 feet in length. The northern elephant seal is slightly smaller than its southern relative. In both species, male elephant seals can weigh up to 10 times more than females.
Facts:
A group of elephant seals is called a colony.
Northern elephant seals live about 9 years and southern elephant seals live 20 to 22 years
Elephant seals were once hunted for their oil to the point where they were pushed to the brink of extinction. Thankfully laws have allowed them to live safely and make a comeback.
Female seals are pregnant for 11 months! Babies a can weigh up to 79 pounds and reach lengths up to 4 feet.
Check out the live view of the elephant seals on the CA coast: LIVE VIEW