During this time, they survive only off of stored blubber (fat) and won't eat for up to five weeks. They are very large and the males have what is similar to an elephant’s trunk on their face yet it is very short. They have been known to look like deadheads, or logs, in the ocean sort of bouncing up and down a couple times and then disappearing. Mature males are easily identified by their large proboscis. Get involved! The other species, the southern elephant seal, lives in the Southern Hemispheres and is found in islands like Macquarie Island. As you explore the beaches, please be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe distance between you and any resting elephant seals. Two elephant seal species exist, which include the Northern elephant seal and the Southern elephant seal. Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. Largest seal in the northern hemisphere. Humans aren't the only ones that are attracted to the California coastline, Northern Elephant Seals migrate thousands of miles to these beaches twice a year to breed, give birth, molt and rest. Other places it is found include the coast of Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. Southern elephant seals are able to dive to over 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) and remain underwater for as long as two hours. 75 pounds (35 kg) On average, the biggest Southern elephant seals weigh over 8,000 pounds. With the recovery of the northern elephant seal population, increasing numbers of elephant seals congregate on local beaches where visitors see them give birth, mate, molt and snooze. Killer whales, sharks and other seals are their main predators. They have a social hierarchy based on the male’s harems, which is the grouping of females. The males are very large with a weight of up to 5,000 pounds. After being weaned at 4 weeks of age, pups fast completely while learning to swim and dive before going to sea in search of food. Since that time, elephant seals have continued to multiply exponentially, and they have extended their breeding range as far north as Point Reyes. (Photo by Mark Sears, NOAA Permit 21348), It’s not too late to join our writing contest an, Has anyone seen the Orcas recently? During mating season, Northern elephant seals fast and can lose up to 36% of their body weight. 7 Male elephant seals reach 16 feet in length and weigh up to 4,000 pounds. Slaughtered en masse for their oil-producing blubber, the … Mirounga angustirostris The females are much smaller at about 9 to 12 feet (2.5 to 4 m) in length and weigh 900 to 1,800 pounds (400 to 800 kg). The biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. The females are much smaller when it comes to weight with only about 2,000 pounds. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). But, they have made a comeback today. Elephant seals are the only seals that molt and shed their outer layer of skin. A key physical characters is the male’s elongated snout, called a proboscis. Large gatherings of the seals — including adult males that can weigh up to 4,400 pounds and reach 19 feet in length — are typically found along the Pacific coast in areas called rookeries. They are very large and the males have what is similar to an elephant’s trunk on their face yet it is very short. In Washington, adult females can be in their feeding areas of Washington and Oregon, during their time between spring/summer molting and winter breeding season. Share your ima. Northern elephant seals’ habitat runs all the way from the Pacific Coast of three states; Canada, the US, and Mexico. Northern elephant seals are large and imposing, with significant differences in size and shape between sexes (sexual dimorphism). Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina and Mirounga angustirostris) There are two species of elephant seal. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_seal, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/elephant-seals/, http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal-information/pinnipeds/northern-elephant-seal/?print=t. The first elephant seals on Año Nuevo Island were sighted in 1955, and the first pup was born there in 1961. Northern elephant seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are not considered endangered or threatened. Northern elephant seals will molt their fur and shed the short dense fur and patches of old skin. Can you spot the Northern Elephant Seals in these photos? Females reach 9 feet and 1,600 pounds. Female’s snouts grow just beyond the mouth and have smoother necks. The gestation period is around 11 months. Northern elephant seals spend much of the year, generally about 9 months, in the ocean. Look for groups of molting males at northern California sites like McKerrecher State Park. With development of affordable satellite-based tracking systems, t… ; Females: 990–1,300 lb. Northern & Southern elephant seal. Males start to form harems around 9-10 years old and battle for status among the adult males. Northern Elephant Seal – Mirounga angustirostris Description. Males frequently fight with each other. Blocking the path is a massive blob of quivering blubber, braying like a donkey. Northern elephant seals face threats such as entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, marine debris, and disturbance while on shore. ... in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. Learn More. Color, Good news for Orcas! Northern Elephant Seal As the name suggests, elephant seals are huge members of the seal family that have a large trunk-like nose that somewhat resembles an elephant’s. AND ONE NEARLY WENT EXTINCT. They were once thought to be extinct after commercial sealing which occurs in the 1800s. Length But they spend most of the time, 8 to 10 months of the year, elsewhere. It is estimated that the adult male northern elephant seal can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Stats: Weight: 880 - 5,100 lbs (0.40 - 2.31 tons) Length: 8.2 - 16 ft (2.5 - 5 m) Diet: Deeper dwelling mid-water fish and squid; Status: Lower risk; Distribution: Northern Elephant Seal Range Species Fact: ... See MoreSee Less, Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email, Good news for Orcas! \"Where do they go?\" - a simple question that has been difficult to answer. On average, the southern elephant seal tends to be larger than the northern species. Their life span is about 14 years for males, 16 to 17 years for females. September-November is a good time to see them from shore. Fill out our nomination form for that amazing site. 2. In 1978, 872 were born there. Weight 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) Length 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m) ADULT MALE FACTS. When foraging, the dive depth of the Northern elephant seal averages 500 to 600 m (1,640 - 1,970 ft), but it is able to dive to as much as 1,500 m (4,920 ft) and stay under water for over 1 hour. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern … This hunk of chonk, the size and shape of Jabba the Hutt, is a male northern elephant seal. Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. Thanks to successful conservation projects they are thriving once again. Elephant seals feed on fish and on squid or other cephalopods. In Washington, it is rare to see them ashore. The Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) and the Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) were both hunted nearly to extinction by the end of the nineteenth […] The huge male northern elephant seal typically weighs 1,500–2,300 kg (3,300–5,100 lb) and measures 4–5 m (13–16 ft), although some males can weigh up to 3,700 kg (8,200 lb). Their bodies seem to be designed more for spending 8-10 months a year in the open ocean than on land. The males are very large with a weight … Found in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and islands off the West coast of North America, these enormous ocean sea mammals were one endangered. Southern seals and Northern seals. Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Once males reach puberty at 7 years old they grow a large nose, as well as thick and robust necks that are lighter in color compared to their darker bodies. In case you’re curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. These mam­mals are among the largest of the group com­pris­ing aquatic car­ni­vores in the North­ern Hemi­sphere. https://wp.me/p6PjLG3CV #welcometheorcas #givethemspace, Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. Northern elephant seals only take short breaks at the surface which is when they are likely to be seen from shore. Share your inspiring story below or tag #thewhaletrail. The huge male northern elephant seal typically weighs 1,500–2,300 kg (3,300–5,100 lb) and measures 4–5 m (13–16 ft), although some males can weigh up to 3,700 kg (8,200 lb). Northern elephant seals are polygamous breeders, meaning during the mating season males establish a dominance over a large group of females. Point Robinson is adjacent to the narrowest part of Puget Sound, and the whales sometimes come spectacularly close to shore. They have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. Length The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). A few of the animals are found in Chile. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. (Photo by Mark Sears, NOAA Permit 21348) Note: while COVID-19 Restrictions are in place, please visit Whale Trail sites close to home that don't require a ferry ride. Follow Washington State Ferries for guidance about ferry travel. The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. One Southern seal recorded diving at a depth of almost 7,000 feet! Elephant seals are the largest seals on the earth with two major species i.e. The U.S and Mexico stock of Northern elephant seals has survived and derived by the few hundred individuals not targeted during commercial sealing. The Elephant seals nose is used in producing extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season. Males of both species attain a length of approximately 6.5 metres (21 feet) and a weight of about 3,530 kg (7,780 pounds) and are much larger than the females, which grow to 3.5 metres and weigh 900 kg. In both sexes, the body is long and robust, and the neck very thick. They are usually underwater, diving to depths of about 1,000 to 2,500 feet for 20 to 30 minute intervals with only short breaks at the surface. In this species, males max out at around 13 feet long and 4500 pounds , … What do they do when they are away? ; Females: 990–1,300 lb. The population began to increase in the 1900s. Mature males are easily spotted by their large noses that resemble elephant trunks. He might weigh as much as 4,500 pounds, and he can flop his jiggly body across the sand as fast as we can run. The Whale Trail depends on your support. They use their large nose to makes sounds and vocally threatening other males. They have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. Species: angustirostris largest pinniped outside Southern elephant seal (Ling & Bryden, 1981). Males begin developing this enlarged nose, or proboscis, at sexual maturity (about three to five years), and it is fully developed by seven to nine years. But, there have been instances where these sea mammals have gone even deeper. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. Northern Elephant Seal Learn More. The female, on the other hand, weighs about a third of the male, which is a dramatic example of sexual dimorphism, or physical size difference between the sexes of a species. To prevent injury, they grow a protective layer of keratin on their chests, which acts as an important shield. The female will breed again before her pup leaves and she returns to the ocean. The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) The northern and southern elephant seal can be distinguished by various external features. Point Robinson is adjacent to the narrowest part of Puget Sound, and the whales sometimes come spectacularly close to shore. Fun Facts for Kids. Northern elephant seals are the largest of the “true”, or “earless”, seals in all of the Northern Hemisphere. When northern elephant seals come on shore to breed, the females will fast while mating and suckling their pups. The adult male, “the elephant of the sea,” has a large flexible snout that looks like an elephant’s trunk. Elephant seals, and pups in particular, are also on the menu of other animals. Look for elephant seal rookeries on the central California coast at Pigeon Point Lighthouse near San Simeon and Ano Nuevo State Beach, north of Santa Cruz. They can dive to depth ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet (305-762m) for lengths of 20-30 minutes. Join us this month as we Welcome the Orcas. The Northern Elephant Seal is smaller than those from the Southern part of the world. Most elephant seals will return to natal rookeries when they reach sexual maturity. The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. Fish, molluscs, krill, crustaceans, squid and other sea life are usually on their menu. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. The largest known bull elephant seal was 6.7 metres in length and weighed 3400 kilograms (about four tons). Males have an enlarged proboscis or ‘trunk’, hence the name elephant seal. Males are larger than females and can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh over 4,000 pounds. 13-19 years, Weight The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. Adult females will return to California or Mexico, and go ashore between March and August to molt. Life Expectancy WDFW sets new rules for comme, NOAA Fisheries West Coast - Northern Elephant Seal. Females will come ashore only a few days before giving birth to her pup. Fully grown males can reach lengths of over 13 feet and can weigh nearly 4,400 pounds. Fe­males typ­i­cally weigh 600 to 900 kg and males, which out­weigh fe­males by 3 to 10 times, can top out at 2300 kg. During this time, they look to be in bad shape, however it is normal. During this time, they survive only off of stored blubber (fat) and won't eat for up to five weeks. But, there have been instances where these sea mammals have gone even deeper. Males feed in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska, while females travel further to offshore waters of Washington and Oregon. But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. Elephant seal pups weigh around 75 pounds (34 kg) when they are born. They are shorter too at only 12 feet. One Southern seal recorded diving at a depth of almost 7,000 feet! They can also reach up to 14 feet in length. For northern elephant seals, the situation is similar, but less extreme. The females are much smaller at 9-12 feet (2.5-4 m) in length and 900-1,800 pounds (400-800 kg). When northern elephant seals come on shore to breed, the females will fast while mating and suckling their pups. Mating occurs from December to March and pups are born in early winter, from December to January. The Northern Elephant Seal Mirounga angustirostris. Female northern elephant seal. On the Whale Trail, Northern elephant seals can be seen at sea while they are at the surface between their long dives. Elephant seals are well named because adult males have large noses that resemble an elephant's trunk. The Northern Elephant Seal is smaller than those from the Southern part of the world. They lack external ear flaps and have smaller fore flippers than other pinnipeds. The have a large range in the Pacific Ocean and can be seen from Alaska to Mexico. Sexual dimorphism in size is great: The much larger male northern elephant seal typically weighs 1,500–2,300 kg (3,300–5,100 lbs) and measures 4–5 m (13.2–16.5 ft), although some males can weigh up to 3,700 kg (8,152 lbs). rookery was studied in northern elephant seal pups at Aiio Nuevo Island, California. 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m), Weight Males return slightly after females. Length The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. Northern elephant seals are preyed on by great white sharks, a significant cause of mortality in juvenile seals, and sometimes also by killer whales. However, they often travel alone when they are in the sea and when they migrate. 12-16 feet (3.6-3.9 m). With over a 13,000 mile roundtrip migrations, they have one of the longest migrations of any animals. Southern elephant seals are able to dive to over 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) and remain underwater for as long as two hours. Today, there are approximately 160,000 northern elephant seals. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). Elephant seals come ashore in the winter to mate and give birth. Scientific Name Adult female elephant seals are approximately 9 feet in length and weigh about 900 pounds. Northern elephant seals are found along North America’s Pacific coast, with a range that stretches as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico. Did You Know? Northern elephant seal bulls reach a length of 4.3 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) and the heaviest weigh about 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. Did You Know? In case you’re curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. Resources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_sealhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/elephant-seals/http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal-information/pinnipeds/northern-elephant-seal/?print=t. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! (GA image) Female northern elephant seals can be over ten feet long, weigh over 1,300 pounds, and live over 20 years whereas southern elephant seal females may be over ten feet long, weight over 2,000 pounds, and be over 23 years. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. NOAA Fisheries - Northern Elephant SealNOAA Fisheries West Coast - Northern Elephant Seal. These seals r… They spend 90% of the time in the water and dive deep into the sea to hunt for food. Adult males may grow to 14-16 feet (4-5 m) in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg). Southern elephant seals are the largest seal species, followed by Northern seals. These seals group together in large colonies when they are on land. Fe­males reach a length of 3.1 m … The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. View our guide on how to watch marine animals from shore. Adult Northern elephant seals are light brown to black in color. 4,400 pounds (1996 kg) Therefore the Elephant seal is … Fun Facts for Kids. Weight 4,400 pounds (1996 kg) Length 12-16 feet (3.6-3.9 m) Northern elephant seals are the largest of the “true”, or “earless”, seals in all of the Northern Hemisphere. The biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. Pups are born black and will molt into a silver coat after 4-6 weeks, once they are weened. Molting takes 4-5 weeks. Northern elephant seals range from Alaska, down the west coast to Mexico. They are the sole members of the genus ‘Mirounga’ of the family ‘Phocidae’ or ‘true seals’. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). April through August, elephant seals return to beaches to shed their skin, or molt. The bull southern elephant seals are, on average, larger than those in the northern species, but the females in both are around the same size, indicating the even hig… Size of a southern male elephant seal is about 6 meters (20 feet) long, and weight up to 6000 kilograms (8,800 pounds). When they haul out for molting season they will stay there for a few weeks. The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are shed. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. On average, the biggest Southern elephant seals weigh over 8,000 pounds. Northern elephant seals spend most of the year, about 9 months, in the ocean and can only be seen on land during pupping season. , noaa Fisheries West Coast - northern elephant seals, and disturbance while on shore breed. 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