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). As you explore the beaches, please be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe distance between you and any resting elephant seals. The have a large range in the Pacific Ocean and can be seen from Alaska to Mexico. The males are very large with a weight of up to 5,000 pounds. Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. (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 (Mirounga angustirostris) and the Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) were both hunted nearly to extinction by the end of the nineteenth [â¦] Females are much smaller and can range from 400 to 900 kg (880 to 1,980 lb) in weight, or roughly a third of the male's bulk, and measure from 2.5 to 3.6 m (8.2 to 11.8 ft). 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. Northern elephant seals are preyed on by great white sharks, a significant cause of mortality in juvenile seals, and sometimes also by killer whales. The biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. 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. Please do not attempt to approach what looks like an animal in distress. The Whale Trail depends on your support. Color, Good news for Orcas! The female will breed again before her pup leaves and she returns to the ocean. 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. The Whale Trail updated their cover photo. 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. Northern elephant seals feed mainly on squid and fishes, however, their diet also consists of rays and sharks. Share your inspiring story below or tag #thewhaletrail. Pups are born black and will molt into a silver coat after 4-6 weeks, once they are weened. 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). They use their large nose to makes sounds and vocally threatening other males. They can also reach up to 14 feet in length. Females are significantly smaller than males, but are still grow to about 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,300 pounds. Two elephant seal species exist, which include the Northern elephant seal and the Southern elephant seal. The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. They are the sole members of the genus âMiroungaâ of the family âPhocidaeâ or âtrue sealsâ. The Northern Elephant Seal is smaller than those from the Southern part of the world. Look for groups of molting males at northern California sites like McKerrecher State Park. 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. rookery was studied in northern elephant seal pups at Aiio Nuevo Island, California. Males have an enlarged proboscis or ‘trunk’, hence the name elephant seal. Adult males may grow to 14-16 feet (4-5 m) in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg). 7 During this time, they survive only off of stored blubber (fat) and won't eat for up to five weeks. Northern elephant seals are large and imposing, with significant differences in size and shape between sexes (sexual dimorphism). But, there have been instances where these sea mammals have gone even deeper. Breeding primarily occurs on offshore islands of California and Mexico, such as the Channel Islands, and at rookeries on the central California coast. ... in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. Elephant seals are the largest seals on the earth with two major species i.e. 2. Adult female elephant seals are approximately 9 feet in length and weigh about 900 pounds. Found in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and islands off the West coast of North America, these enormous ocean sea mammals were one endangered. They are very large and the males have what is similar to an elephant’s trunk on their face yet it is very short. 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: These mammals are among the largest of the group comprising aquatic carnivores in the Northern Hemisphere. 13-19 years, Weight Mature males are easily spotted by their large noses that resemble elephant trunks. This hunk of chonk, the size and shape of Jabba the Hutt, is a male northern elephant seal. NOAA Fisheries - Northern Elephant SealNOAA Fisheries West Coast - Northern Elephant Seal. ~ Fun Fact ~Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. Blocking the path is a massive blob of quivering blubber, braying like a donkey. Share your ima. They are very large and the males have what is similar to an elephantâs trunk on their face yet it is very short. Males feed in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska, while females travel further to offshore waters of Washington and Oregon. 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. Weight 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) Length 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m) ADULT MALE FACTS. ... See MoreSee Less, Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email, Good news for Orcas! Length Join us this month as we Welcome the Orcas. In Washington, it is rare to see them ashore. Species: angustirostris largest pinniped outside Southern elephant seal (Ling & Bryden, 1981). What do they do when they are away? When northern elephant seals come on shore to breed, the females will fast while mating and suckling their pups. As the name suggests, elephant seals are huge members of the seal family that have a large trunk-like nose that somewhat resembles an elephantâs. In this species, males max out at around 13 feet long and 4500 pounds , ⦠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. Their life span is about 14 years for males, 16 to 17 years for females. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Fill out our nomination form for that amazing site. Did You Know? Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). The females are much smaller when it comes to weight with only about 2,000 pounds. Mating occurs from December to March and pups are born in early winter, from December to January. Learn More. Males frequently fight with each other. ; Females: 990â1,300 lb. Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. Females will come ashore only a few days before giving birth to her pup. On the Whale Trail, Northern elephant seals can be seen at sea while they are at the surface between their long dives. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. Females typically weigh 600 to 900 kg and males, which outweigh females by 3 to 10 times, can top out at 2300 kg. AND ONE NEARLY WENT EXTINCT. Molting takes 4-5 weeks. To prevent injury, they grow a protective layer of keratin on their chests, which acts as an important shield. In case youâre curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. 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). Most elephant seals will return to natal rookeries when they reach sexual maturity. ; Females: 990–1,300 lb. Elephant seal pups weigh around 75 pounds (34 kg) when they are born. 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. Northern elephant seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are not considered endangered or threatened. The Northern Elephant Seal Mirounga angustirostris. Pups increase their birthweight by a factor of 3-7 times on mother's milk alone. Both sexes have black whiskers and V-shaped hind flippers. Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! Characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism: males weigh 8-10 more than females. 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. Point Robinson is adjacent to the narrowest part of Puget Sound, and the whales sometimes come spectacularly close to shore. When they haul out for molting season they will stay there for a few weeks. But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. (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. They spend 90% of the time in the water and dive deep into the sea to hunt for food. The adult male, âthe elephant of the sea,â has a large flexible snout that looks like an elephantâs trunk. In 1978, 872 were born there. The biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. Male elephant seals reach 16 feet in length and weigh up to 4,000 pounds. The northern and southern elephant seal can be distinguished by various external features. Elephant seals come ashore in the winter to mate and give birth. The population estimate for the California stock of Northern elephant seals is around 180,000. The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. Males are larger than females and can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh over 4,000 pounds. Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina and Mirounga angustirostris) There are two species of elephant seal. 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. On average, the southern elephant seal tends to be larger than the northern species. View our guide on how to watch marine animals from shore. The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are shed. Fun Facts for Kids. The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). Northern elephant seals will molt their fur and shed the short dense fur and patches of old skin. @WDFW sets new rules for commercial whale-watching to protect southern residents. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. It is estimated that the adult male northern elephant seal can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. April through August, elephant seals return to beaches to shed their skin, or molt. When northern elephant seals come on shore to breed, the females will fast while mating and suckling their pups. 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. The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. Northern elephant seals only take short breaks at the surface which is when they are likely to be seen from shore. The males are very large with a weight ⦠Elephant seals are the only seals that molt and shed their outer layer of skin. The largest colonies are found off southern California and the Channel Islands. Learn More. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). With development of affordable satellite-based tracking systems, t… The other species, the southern elephant seal, lives in the Southern Hemispheres and is found in islands like Macquarie Island. The first elephant seals on Año Nuevo Island were sighted in 1955, and the first pup was born there in 1961. The northern elephant seal is yellowish or gray-brown, and the southern is blue-gray. 75 pounds (35 kg) The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. These seals may weigh about the same as a small SUV, but can look a lot like driftwood on the beach at first glance. Northern Elephant Seal Females reach a length of 3.1 m … In both sexes, the body is long and robust, and the neck very thick. Femaleâs snouts grow just beyond the mouth and have smoother necks. 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. Slaughtered en masse for their oil-producing blubber, the … Adult Northern elephant seals are light brown to black in color. Northern elephant seals’ habitat runs all the way from the Pacific Coast of three states; Canada, the US, and Mexico. 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. 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m), Weight On average, the biggest Southern elephant seals weigh over 8,000 pounds. Northern & Southern elephant seal. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern … 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. They have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. Northern elephant seals are polygamous breeders, meaning during the mating season males establish a dominance over a large group of females. But, they have made a comeback today. In case you’re curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Other places it is found include the coast of Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. The U.S and Mexico stock of Northern elephant seals has survived and derived by the few hundred individuals not targeted during commercial sealing. Northern Elephant Seal â Mirounga angustirostris Description. Killer whales, sharks and other seals are their main predators. Thanks to successful conservation projects they are thriving once again. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. 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. September-November is a good time to see them from shore. 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. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. 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. 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. 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). They can dive to depth ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet (305-762m) for lengths of 20-30 minutes. But they spend most of the time, 8 to 10 months of the year, elsewhere. Follow Washington State Ferries for guidance about ferry travel. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! The females are much smaller at 9-12 feet (2.5-4 m) in length and 900-1,800 pounds (400-800 kg). Southern elephant seals are able to dive to over 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) and remain underwater for as long as two hours. They have a social hierarchy based on the maleâs harems, which is the grouping of females. These seals r… Adult females will return to California or Mexico, and go ashore between March and August to molt. Fish, molluscs, krill, crustaceans, squid and other sea life are usually on their menu. They were once thought to be extinct after commercial sealing which occurs in the 1800s. Northern elephant seals range from Alaska, down the west coast to Mexico. 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