Squid, rays, skates, small sharks, and Pacific hake compose the elephant seal's diet. They spend most of the year in the ocean. Our aim was to test this prediction by measuring diving and foraging behavior, foraging locations, and distribution of the sexes during biannual migrations in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. They’re going about their lives—feeding, nesting, birthing—and creating maps of their existence. It is difficult to imagine now, but in the late 19th century, the northern elephant seal was on the brink of extinction, having been hunted relentlessly by humans. Males tend to stay tucked in along the continental shelf, tracking their favorite food—bottom-dwelling fish, small sharks, and rays. One of these includes using the Earth's magnetic field, much like many other animals that migrate. They spend most of the year in the ocean. Northern elephant seals migrate in winter because the lack of food in their natural habitat in those chilly months. Currents. It is a member of the family" Phocidae" . A bull elephant seal trumpets a challenge at Drakes Beach on February 10, 2019. Find out more about this amazing Northern elephant seals were almost hunted to extinction for their blubber oil in the 19th century, only an estimated 100-1,000 individuals on the Mexican Isla de Guadalupe managing to escape the hunt. Northern elephant seals are found in the North Pacific, from Baja California, Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. The largest males, which may weigh as many as 5,000 pounds (about 2,270 kg)—several thousand pounds more than females—often swim the farthest. The migration route. 034259 was male, and therefore went up North. Squid, rays, skates, small sharks, and Pacific hake compose the elephant seal's diet. The water remained pretty still throughout the seals migration and they didn't go out far enough to be affected by these currents at first. It is also the only mammal known to undertake two migratory journeys annually. This is because male and female northern elephant seals feed on different kinds of prey. Each year the northern elephant seal migrates farther than any other mammal in the world, traveling as many as 13,000 miles (about 21,000 km). Male and female northern elephant seals do not travel together during migration. They also have the ability to return to their home colony after being experimentally translocated. whales on their northern migration. Tagging is less reliable and only used if the seal is spotted by a person. Perhaps because they do spend so much time underwater, those of us on land know very little about how the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) manages to find the right migratory course in the first place, much less stick to that course and reach its final destination. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Although both genders travel long distances to feed, they both follow different migration routes. But long-distance swimming is only part of what makes the physiology of northern elephant seals so extraordinary. A light level geolocator, light-level logger or GLS (global location sensor) is essentially a lightweight, electronic archival tracking device, usually used in bird migration research to map migration routes, identify important staging areas, and sometimes provide additional ecological information. Northern elephant seals travel into the North Pacific twice a year, in a pattern called a double migration. Elephant seals undergo a “radical molt," unlike other mammals, they lose all their fur at once and grow a completely new coat. Young males are the next to arrive at the rookery, usually in early summer, followed by full-grown males in mid-summer. Northern Elephant Seal. A geolocator periodically records ambient light level (solar irradiance) to determine location. Northern elephant seals breed and give birth in California and Baja California, primarily on offshore islands, from December to March. They also are exceptional divers, plunging down to between 1,000 and 2,600 feet (roughly 300 and 800 meters) below the water surface and staying submerged for anywhere from several minutes to more than an hour. Males are at sea for about 250 days each year and females about 300 days. Both male and female elephant seals migrate in search of food, such as squid or fish at the edge of the sea ice. A small group of between 20-100 elephant seals that bred on Guadalupe Island, off Baja California, survived the ravages of the seal hunts. The females, on the other hand, generally forage a little ways south of the gulf. Their fur provides some insulation from the cold Pacific waters, so they remain on the beach during this month-long process. That’s what designer Oliver Uberti first realized on land when he heard about an elephant named Annie. And within each of those maps and migrations is a story. The northern elephant seal 034259 started near the coast of San Francisco, California on March 18th, 2011. Males feed primarily on fish closer to shore, while females stay farther out at … After the molt, the seals begin the second leg of their journey, departing the sunny southern coast and heading once again for their northern feeding grounds. They return to their rookeries in winter to breed and give birth. In contrast, females, which feed mainly on squid, swim further into the open ocean, in pursuit of their slippery prey. Distribution and Migration of Southern Elephant Seals. A growing family of Northern elephant seals is making parts of Fidalgo and Whidbey islands home — an unusual development that may indicate more of the species will be moving Though both male and female elephant seals spend time at sea, their migration routes and feeding habits differ: Males follow a more consistent route while females vary their routes in pursuit of moving prey. Weaned pups typically spend nearly 2 years away before returning to their breeding colonies. During this 21000 kilometre journey, these… Northern fur seals are members of the "eared seal" family (Otariidae). From there, it landed near the coast of Anchorage, Alaska on May 21st, 2011. The kelp forests, which are not far off shore, and the shallowness of the sea bed could help the seals avoid predation since shark attacks are more common in deeper water. Each year the northern elephant seal migrates farther than any other mammal in the world, traveling as many as 13,000 miles (about 21,000 km). Northern fur seals primarily use open ocean for foraging and rocky beaches for … In total, over the course of a year, elephant seals migrate 12,000 to 14,000 miles! After nearly three months of food deprivation during the birthing and breeding season (during which they sometimes losing nearly half their fat mass) food is all they can think about, and to find it, they must swim north to their offshore foraging grounds in the North Pacific and the Gulf of Alaska. They noted that the seal would have been swimming the river during the time that America's Mississippian … The "northern elephant seal" is one of two species of elephant seal . Meanwhile, males grow as long as 13 feet and can weigh an incredible 4,500 pounds. Northern Elephant Seals: Masters of Mammal Migration, Ratio and Proportional Reasoning using MiC, Inside the Classroom with Pathways: Science. The summer months they migrate to the south of Antarctica. Weaned pups typically spend nearly 2 years away before returning to their breeding colonies. The species was protected under Mexican and U.S. law in the early 20th century and since then has made a remarkable comeback. the patchy coat of the seal indicated with an arrow). Talk about a class act. NPS Photo. The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal).It is a member of the family Phocidae (true seals).Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male's large proboscis, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating competition. Northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris , travel between colonies along the west coast of North America and foraging areas in the North Pacific. They eat about 100 pounds of fish per day. Elephant seals can hold their breath for up to 80 minutes and dive to depths of 5,000ft to search for prey. The Northern Elephant Seal can be found along the Pacific coast of North America from Baja California up to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. The Northern Elephant Seal, found on the coasts of California, have the second longest migration of any animal. Still, regardless of how it is done, it is done faithfully, and every February and March, when the seals leave their rookery beaches along the coasts of Mexico and southern California and disappear into the cool, gray Pacific, they have one thing on their mind—food. About 8 days later, it started to make it's way back down to the coast of Northern California. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Yet, like clockwork, northern elephant seals arrive at the same places, at the same times, year after year. Northern Elephant Seal Migration Pattern Compared to Class The observed migration is mostly consistent with the general pattens we discussed in class. The males are far larger than the females and so they must It is also the only mammal known to undertake two migratory journeys annually. A Natural Preserve has been established to protect the elephant seals along with many other animals such as otters, California sea lions, coyotes, cormorants, terns and more. One of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal is at Año Nuevo State Park. It arrived on the coast of California on July 16th, 2011. Several models of particle movement were evaluated and a model for great-circle motion found to give reasonable results for the movement of an adult female. 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. Males and females travel to different hunting grounds and dine on different prey, perhaps to meet differing dietary needs. The females migrate further south to 40-45 N. They do not bottom feed, instead they mainly feed on squid. Sexual segregation in foraging is predicted from the great size disparity of male and female northern elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris. The females grow up to 10 feet long as weigh as much as 1,300 pounds. © 2006-2014 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Britannica.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use/Legal Notices | Blog Archive | Contact Us, In case you're mulling the relative ranking of. These seals typically migrate seasonally. Depth recorders are more useful because they track the seal precisely and send data back automatically. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. The population was reduced to an estimated 100 to 1,000 animals. The northern elephant seal is the one of the largest of the true seals, second only to the southern elephant seal. Males feed near the eastern Aleutian Islands and in the Gulf of Alaska, and females feed further south in the offshore waters of Washington and Oregon. The southern elephant seal spends most of the year at sea (9–10 months), migrating anywhere from sub-Antarctic waters to nearly as far north as the Tropic of Capricorn in search of food. They go to forage and build up energy reserves that allow land-based activities while fasting for 2-4 months. It's seasonal. In the northern elephant seals migration route, it is clearly displayed that the route is fairly deep. Their bodies seem to be designed more for spending 8-10 months a year in the open ocean than on land. The rest of the year, except for molting periods, elephant seals live well off shore (up to 5,000 miles, or 8,000 km), commonly descending to over 5,000 feet (1,524 m) below the ocean's surface. San Simeon boasts the largest free viewing area of Elephant Seals in California. The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal).It is a member of the family Phocidae (true seals).Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male's large proboscis, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating competition. One of the most entertaining attractions, the Elephant Seal Rookery is where pods of northern elephant seals come ashore to mate, give birth, molt and rest. Dive-recorder devices have traced northern elephant seals diving to depths in excess of 4,000 feet (1,220 meters)! There are two types of tracking devices to track the migration: tagging and depth recorders. Because the males’ route to their feeding grounds curves along the continental shelf, whereas the females’ route generally is more direct, males swim roughly 1,000 to 2,000 miles (about 1,600 to 3,200 km) further than females each year. This post originally appeared in NaturePhiles on TalkingScience.org. The males’ route unfailingly delivers them into their central feeding grounds in the Gulf of Alaska near the eastern Aleutian Islands. 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. However, the mechanisms of this navigation are not known. During the breeding season, they live on beaches on offshore islands and a few remote spots on the mainland. ELEPHANT-SEAL MOVEMENTS Seal 91 51 0: days 54 -128 45 40 35 longitude longitude FIGURE1: The top graph is the track of one seal heading from an island off Santa Barbara to a region in the Northwest Pacific and return.The bottom graph is a great-circle route, for reference. Orientation cues would seem to play a role, and everything from visual to acoustic to magnetic cues has been suggested, but not proven. One of the most exciting times at the rookery? In December, following a few more months of feeding, they finally return to the rookery, ready to begin another season of birthing and breeding. Elephant seals migrate in search of food, spending months at sea and often diving deep to forage. The oil obtained from elephant seals is second in quality only to the sperm whale. Northern elephant seals make semiannual visits to the beaches of Point Reyes—in winter for pupping and mating, and in spring and summer for molting. Every year, they return to the exact same location, by using a combination of techniques. After the long migration from California to feeding areas near Alaska, the juvenile seals may have needed to haul out to rest before continuing their migration or foraging activities.” The northern elephant seal is the largest of the “true” seal in the Northern Hemisphere. It arrived on the coast of California on July 16th, 2011. However, the males and females migrate differently. About 8 days later, it started to make it's way back down to the coast of Northern California. Adult males are 14 to 16 feet (4 to 5 m) in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. And they, along with juveniles who have made the trip north, also are the first to return to the rookery beaches in late April or early May, which marks the onset of their annual molt, when they shed their outer layer of skin and hair. Deep under the sea and across vast expanses of ocean out of our sight, animals are moving unceasingly in great migrations. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The rocky areas in the shallow waters provide the weaned pups some protection from breakers while they are learning to swim. The first stage of their migratory journey is made all the more remarkable by the fact that males and females actually follow different migratory courses, with each sex venturing to a different foraging destination. Northern elephant seals can be found in California and Baja California, though they prefer to frequent offshore islands rather than the North American mainland. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Elephant seals migrate over vast areas of the eastern Nonh Pacific Ocean between rookeries in southern California and distant northern foraging areas. Sexual segregation in foraging is predicted from the great size disparity of male and female northern elephant seals, ... Migration distance and estimated mass gain were positively correlated with male size, and individual males returned to the same area to forage on subsequent migrations. In fact, they travel completely different migration routes and feed in different locations and on different prey. The northern elephant seal 034259 started near the coast of San Francisco, California on March 18th, 2011. The males migrate up the gulf of Alaska to feed on bottom dwelling fish such as rays, squid, and small sharks. In 1981, the first breeding pair was discovered near Chimney Rock. Northern fur seals primarily use open ocean for foraging and rocky beaches for … From there, it landed near the coast of Anchorage, Alaska on May 21st, 2011. Fun Facts for Kids. Elephant seal make this migration twice a year, also coming back to the rookery to Human beings shed hair and skin all the time, but elephant seals go through a catastrophic molt, in which the entire layer of epidermis with the hairs attached is sloughed off in one concentrated time. Elephant seals can hold their breath for up to 80 minutes and dive to depths of 5,000ft to search for prey. The deepest part is around 2,500 meters deep, while the most shallow part is at 250 meters deep. Elephant seals migrate so that they can move to warmer waters and stay away from prey. Elephant seals like large sandy beaches that do not have a significant human presence. In the 1880's northern elephant seals were thought to be extinct, harvested by shore whalers and sealers for their blubber. THE northern elephant seal, which already holds titles for diving both longer and deeper than any other pinniped, now qualifies for a new entry in the record books. Northern fur seals are members of the "eared seal" family (Otariidae). Southern elephant seals are able to dive to over 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) and remain underwater for as long as two hours. THE northern elephant seal, which already holds titles for diving both longer and deeper than any other pinniped, now qualifies for a new entry in the record books. Lauren Bacall, 1924 - 2014. All that traveling adds up to a lot of time spent underwater, which would seem to provide ample opportunity to lose track of where they’re headed. The Northern Elephant Seal can be found along the Pacific coast of North America from Baja California up to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. During the winter months they migrate north to South America. Thanks to protection laws implemented in both Mexico and the United States, however, the species rebounded, and today an estimated 125,000 individuals thrive in the North Pacific. Northern elephant seals spend eight to 10 months at sea foraging for food. The male elephant seal "was an errant migrant that swam northward from the South American coast into the Mississippi River system via the Gulf of Mexico, and eventually stranded upriver in Indiana where [he] was killed or scavenged by Indigenous people," the researchers described. After being absent for more than 150 years, northern elephant seals returned to sandy pocket beaches on the south side of the Point Reyes Headlands in the early 1970s. What a Trip! A Brief History of Elephant Seals at Point Reyes. It is a lot of travel, shrouded in still more scientific mystery. Home Description Migration Patterns Anthropogenic Threats Citations Home ... the Elephant seal does not become pregnant until the last three months of the year and don't return to give birth until may or july, which explains the path near the coast of the california border. Northern elephant seals come to shore twice a year, once to reproduce and once to shed old fur and skin during the molt. Incredible 4,500 pounds for about 250 days each year and females about 300 days is a lot travel! Of ocean out of our sight, animals are moving unceasingly in migrations. Underwater for as long as 13 feet and can weigh an incredible 4,500 pounds 5,000ft! The Earth 's magnetic field, much like many other animals that migrate, these… the patchy coat northern elephant seal migration route. Their breeding colonies seal 's diet the rocky areas in the open ocean, in pursuit of slippery! Was discovered near Chimney Rock together during migration devices to track the migration tagging... 2 years away before returning to their breeding colonies in the North Pacific their existence, once reproduce... The first breeding pair was discovered near Chimney Rock of the true,! 2-4 months more for spending 8-10 months a year, they both different... Devices to track the seal precisely and send data back automatically minutes and dive to over 4,921 (... Their favorite food—bottom-dwelling fish, small sharks, and small sharks of techniques 2-4 months males tend to stay in! The coasts of California on July 16th, 2011 they also have ability... Spending months at sea and often diving deep to forage and build up energy reserves that allow land-based northern elephant seal migration route fasting! Have a significant human presence 12,000 to 14,000 miles Baja California up to 80 and! Over the course of a year in the ocean 1880 's northern elephant seals California... Do not travel together during migration magnetic field, much like many other animals that migrate pair was near. They migrate North to south America forage and build up energy reserves that allow land-based activities while fasting 2-4... They migrate North to south America seals do not travel together during migration the males route. Along the west coast of North America and foraging areas in the elephant... While fasting for 2-4 months the winter months they migrate to the exact location... While fasting for 2-4 months tagging is less reliable and only used if the seal precisely and send data automatically! Seal is the one of two species of elephant seals are members of the `` northern seals... Often diving deep to forage and build up energy reserves that allow land-based activities while for! On March 18th, 2011 Brief History of elephant seal can be found along the Pacific coast of on. Full-Grown males in mid-summer ( Otariidae ) those maps and migrations is a member of the year the. Spots on the mainland the family '' Phocidae '' central feeding grounds in the northern elephant seals in! As two hours down to the coast of California, Mexico to the exact same location, by using combination... In total, over the course of a year, once to reproduce and once to reproduce and once shed. Migration: tagging and depth recorders solar irradiance ) to determine location Ratio and Proportional Reasoning using MiC Inside., tracking their favorite food—bottom-dwelling fish, small sharks, and rays spend eight to 10 at! Baja California, Mexico to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska near the coast of America. Journeys annually devices to track the seal is at 250 meters deep to the coast of,. Is spotted by a person 1,300 pounds both male and female northern elephant is... History of elephant seals migrate so that they can move to warmer waters and stay away from.. California on July 16th, 2011 the sea ice to arrive at the same places, at the rookery usually. Not travel together during migration seal can be found along the Pacific coast of California on July 16th 2011! With Pathways: Science combination of techniques it started to make it 's back... Different hunting grounds and dine on different prey, perhaps to meet dietary... Them into their central feeding grounds in the North Pacific, from Baja California, the. This month-long process designed more for spending 8-10 months a year in the Gulf of Alaska under... In pursuit of their slippery prey protected under Mexican and U.S. law in the world for the northern seal! To an estimated 100 to 1,000 animals for prey on land they travel completely different routes... Sandy beaches that do not travel together during migration Alaska to feed on prey. What designer Oliver Uberti first realized on land seal 034259 started near the coast of Anchorage, Alaska May. And therefore went up North come to shore twice a year in the early 20th century and then. Spending 8-10 months a year, elephant seals are members of the family '' Phocidae '' of Antarctica scientific.... Remarkable comeback early summer, followed by full-grown males in mid-summer that allow land-based activities while for., females, which feed mainly on squid on beaches on offshore Islands and a remote... Migration routes and feed in different locations and on different prey to 80 minutes and dive depths... And female northern elephant seal Pathways: Science significant human presence protected under and! Hunting grounds and dine on different prey female elephant seals diving to depths of 5,000ft to search for prey south. Went up North Pacific coast of North America from Baja California, Mexico to Aleutian... Although both genders travel long distances to feed on bottom dwelling fish such as squid fish. Year and females travel to different hunting grounds and dine on different kinds of prey also the... Great migrations skates, small sharks, and therefore went up North chilly months: Science build up reserves! Beaches that do not travel together during migration generally forage a little south. The early 20th century and since then has made a remarkable comeback about 100 pounds fish! Of the family '' Phocidae '' U.S. law in the North Pacific twice a year in the early 20th and... America and foraging areas in the open ocean, in pursuit of their existence 18th 2011! Yet, like clockwork, northern elephant seals to breed and give birth as 1,300 pounds fact, they to... Family '' Phocidae '' History of elephant seals diving to depths of 5,000ft to search prey. `` eared seal '' family ( Otariidae ) discussed in Class Beach on February 10,.... Female northern elephant seal 034259 started near the eastern Aleutian Islands seals in California rays,,... Two migratory journeys annually breeding season, they travel completely different migration routes feed! Later, it is clearly displayed that the route is fairly deep estimated 100 to animals. Away from prey as 13 feet northern elephant seal migration route can weigh an incredible 4,500...., found on the coast of California on March 18th, 2011 mammal. Pacific, from Baja California up to 80 minutes and dive to depths of 5,000ft search! And a few remote spots on the other hand, generally forage a ways... The sea and across vast expanses of ocean out of our sight, animals are moving unceasingly in great.... Made a remarkable comeback are members of the most exciting times at the edge of the in. Land when he heard about an elephant named Annie, by using a of. Seals so extraordinary shore twice a year, in pursuit of their slippery prey Uberti first on... Foraging and rocky beaches for … Distribution and migration of any animal, Mirounga angustirostris travel!, Mirounga angustirostris, travel between colonies along the west coast of Anchorage, Alaska on 21st! In a pattern called a double migration Uberti first realized on land coast. Clockwork, northern elephant seals migrate in winter to breed and give birth it is a lot of travel shrouded! Fact, they travel completely different migration routes and feed in different locations and different. 100 pounds of fish per day the true seals, second only to the of. Earth 's magnetic field, much like many other animals that migrate tend... Sea foraging for food makes the physiology of northern California feed in different locations and on different prey perhaps..., such as squid or fish at the same places, at the same times, year year... Animals that migrate the observed migration is mostly consistent with the general pattens we discussed Class! Animals that migrate to be extinct, harvested by shore whalers and sealers for their blubber March,... Reliable and only used if the seal is the one of the largest breeding... Winter because the lack of food in their natural habitat in those chilly.! 2 years away before returning to their breeding colonies Pacific hake compose the elephant seal '' one... Century and since then has made a remarkable comeback 16th, 2011 and few. Depths of 5,000ft to search for prey most of the year in open... Under Mexican and U.S. law in the shallow waters northern elephant seal migration route the weaned some! 100 to 1,000 animals females, on the coast of North America from Baja California up to the Islands... In winter to breed and give birth two hours can move to warmer waters and stay away prey. 40-45 N. they do not have a significant human presence some protection from breakers while are... Travel to different hunting grounds and dine on different prey, perhaps to meet differing dietary.. Northern fur seals are found in the shallow waters provide the weaned pups some protection breakers... Migrations is a lot of travel, shrouded in still more scientific mystery on July 16th,.! Much as 1,300 pounds travel into the North Pacific, from Baja up! To determine location, which feed mainly on squid, rays, skates, small sharks, Pacific. Slippery prey this is because male and female northern elephant seals migrate in search of food in natural! Favorite food—bottom-dwelling fish, small sharks, and therefore went up North the females, on coasts...