Males frequently fight with each other. They have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. Fun Facts for Kids. Length Thanks to successful conservation projects they are thriving once again. Males return slightly after females. 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 Elephant seals nose is used in producing extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season. Learn More. Fun Facts for Kids. Northern elephant seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are not considered endangered or threatened. It is estimated that the adult male northern elephant seal can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Male elephant seals reach 16 feet in length and weigh up to 4,000 pounds. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). Join us this month as we Welcome the Orcas. 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. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). They are very large and the males have what is similar to an elephant’s trunk on their face yet it is very short. On average, the biggest Southern elephant seals weigh over 8,000 pounds. Northern elephant seals will molt their fur and shed the short dense fur and patches of old skin. Female northern elephant seal. They use their large nose to makes sounds and vocally threatening other males. View our guide on how to watch marine animals from shore. Their bodies seem to be designed more for spending 8-10 months a year in the open ocean than on land. Therefore the Elephant seal is … During this time, they look to be in bad shape, however it is normal. They spend 90% of the time in the water and dive deep into the sea to hunt for food. Northern elephant seals are polygamous breeders, meaning during the mating season males establish a dominance over a large group of females. These mam­mals are among the largest of the group com­pris­ing aquatic car­ni­vores in the North­ern Hemi­sphere. Today, there are approximately 160,000 northern elephant seals. 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 Whale Trail updated their cover photo. But, there have been instances where these sea mammals have gone even deeper. During this time, they survive only off of stored blubber (fat) and won't eat for up to five weeks. Fill out our nomination form for that amazing site. 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). But, they have made a comeback today. 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) 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. With over a 13,000 mile roundtrip migrations, they have one of the longest migrations of any animals. 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 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). (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. Did You Know? Largest seal in the northern hemisphere. In case you’re curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. Their life span is about 14 years for males, 16 to 17 years for females. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). The Whale Trail depends on your support. As you explore the beaches, please be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe distance between you and any resting elephant seals. The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). Color, Good news for Orcas! The northern elephant seal is yellowish or gray-brown, and the southern is blue-gray. 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m), Weight The biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). Elephant seals, and pups in particular, are also on the menu of other animals. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. In this species, males max out at around 13 feet long and 4500 pounds , … Females reach 9 feet and 1,600 pounds. They can dive to depth ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet (305-762m) for lengths of 20-30 minutes. Elephant seals come ashore in the winter to mate and give birth. 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. 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. 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). (Photo by Mark Sears, NOAA Permit 21348), It’s not too late to join our writing contest an, Has anyone seen the Orcas recently? Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! Northern elephant seals’ habitat runs all the way from the Pacific Coast of three states; Canada, the US, and Mexico. AND ONE NEARLY WENT EXTINCT. In Washington, it is rare to see them ashore. Elephant seals feed on fish and on squid or other cephalopods. Mirounga angustirostris What do they do when they are away? Learn More. 2. They are very large and the males have what is similar to an elephant’s trunk on their face yet it is very short. These seals group together in large colonies when they are on land. One Southern seal recorded diving at a depth of almost 7,000 feet! Northern Elephant Seal – Mirounga angustirostris Description. Slaughtered en masse for their oil-producing blubber, the … Northern elephant seals spend most of the year, about 9 months, in the ocean and can only be seen on land during pupping season. Northern elephant seals face threats such as entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, marine debris, and disturbance while on shore. Southern elephant seals are the largest seal species, followed by Northern seals. Can you spot the Northern Elephant Seals in these photos? Southern seals and Northern seals. April through August, elephant seals return to beaches to shed their skin, or molt. Elephant seals are well named because adult males have large noses that resemble an elephant's trunk. Southern elephant seals are able to dive to over 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) and remain underwater for as long as two hours. When northern elephant seals come on shore to breed, the females will fast while mating and suckling their pups. Scientific Name 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. They are the sole members of the genus ‘Mirounga’ of the family ‘Phocidae’ or ‘true seals’. 75 pounds (35 kg) Fe­males reach a length of 3.1 m … Length The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. The females are much smaller at 9-12 feet (2.5-4 m) in length and 900-1,800 pounds (400-800 kg). The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). ... See MoreSee Less, Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email, Good news for Orcas! Look for groups of molting males at northern California sites like McKerrecher State Park. Northern elephant seals range from Alaska, down the west coast to Mexico. 7 The other species, the southern elephant seal, lives in the Southern Hemispheres and is found in islands like Macquarie Island. Species: angustirostris largest pinniped outside Southern elephant seal (Ling & Bryden, 1981). The adult male, “the elephant of the sea,” has a large flexible snout that looks like an elephant’s trunk. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. But they spend most of the time, 8 to 10 months of the year, elsewhere. Blocking the path is a massive blob of quivering blubber, braying like a donkey. Follow Washington State Ferries for guidance about ferry travel. Northern elephant seals spend much of the year, generally about 9 months, in the ocean. However, they often travel alone when they are in the sea and when they migrate. They are shorter too at only 12 feet. During this time, they survive only off of stored blubber (fat) and won't eat for up to five weeks. 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. With development of affordable satellite-based tracking systems, t… (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. Length 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. When they haul out for molting season they will stay there for a few weeks. The largest colonies are found off southern California and the Channel Islands. ; Females: 990–1,300 lb. Northern elephant seals only take short breaks at the surface which is when they are likely to be seen from shore. 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. Point Robinson is adjacent to the narrowest part of Puget Sound, and the whales sometimes come spectacularly close to shore. https://wp.me/p6PjLG3CV #welcometheorcas #givethemspace, Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. Adult female elephant seals are approximately 9 feet in length and weigh about 900 pounds. 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. When northern elephant seals come on shore to breed, the females will fast while mating and suckling their pups. The males are very large with a weight … 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). Fe­males typ­i­cally weigh 600 to 900 kg and males, which out­weigh fe­males by 3 to 10 times, can top out at 2300 kg. On average, the southern elephant seal tends to be larger than the northern species. Adult Northern elephant seals are light brown to black in color. 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 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! Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. 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. Life Expectancy The first elephant seals on Año Nuevo Island were sighted in 1955, and the first pup was born there in 1961. Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. Found in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and islands off the West coast of North America, these enormous ocean sea mammals were one endangered. The Northern Elephant Seal Mirounga angustirostris. The population began to increase in the 1900s. Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. They can also reach up to 14 feet in length. These seals may weigh about the same as a small SUV, but can look a lot like driftwood on the beach at first glance. The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). This hunk of chonk, the size and shape of Jabba the Hutt, is a male northern elephant seal. 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… 4 feet (1.25 m), Weight Northern elephant seals have a diet of mostly squid and fishes, but also rays and sharks. Northern elephant seals are preyed on by great white sharks, a significant cause of mortality in juvenile seals, and sometimes also by killer whales. In case you’re curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. The female will breed again before her pup leaves and she returns to the ocean. To prevent injury, they grow a protective layer of keratin on their chests, which acts as an important shield. Get involved! Share your ima. 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: The Northern Elephant Seal is smaller than those from the Southern part of the world. One Southern seal recorded diving at a depth of almost 7,000 feet! The females are much smaller when it comes to weight with only about 2,000 pounds. Northern & Southern 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). The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. Elephant seals have a sandy brown colored coat with no spots. They have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. On average, the biggest Southern elephant seals weigh over 8,000 pounds. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. The Northern Elephant Seal is smaller than those from the Southern part of the world. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. 4,400 pounds (1996 kg) 12-16 feet (3.6-3.9 m). 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 Seal During mating season, Northern elephant seals fast and can lose up to 36% of their body weight. Both sexes have black whiskers and V-shaped hind flippers. 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. September-November is a good time to see them from shore. Please do not attempt to approach what looks like an animal in distress. Size of a southern male elephant seal is about 6 meters (20 feet) long, and weight up to 6000 kilograms (8,800 pounds). rookery was studied in northern elephant seal pups at Aiio Nuevo Island, California. ; Females: 990–1,300 lb. The biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. 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 […] But, there have been instances where these sea mammals have gone even deeper. These seals r… Two elephant seal species exist, which include the Northern elephant seal and the Southern elephant seal. Elephant seals are the only seals that molt and shed their outer layer of skin. Elephant seals are the largest seals on the earth with two major species i.e. Females will come ashore only a few days before giving birth to her pup. Characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism: males weigh 8-10 more than females. Since that time, elephant seals have continued to multiply exponentially, and they have extended their breeding range as far north as Point Reyes. Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. The largest known bull elephant seal was 6.7 metres in length and weighed 3400 kilograms (about four tons). Most elephant seals will return to natal rookeries when they reach sexual maturity. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern … Fish, molluscs, krill, crustaceans, squid and other sea life are usually on their menu. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). Share your inspiring story below or tag #thewhaletrail. 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. Southern elephant seals are the largest seal species, followed by Northern seals. Mature males are easily spotted by their large noses that resemble elephant trunks. 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. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Did You Know? A key physical characters is the male’s elongated snout, called a proboscis. Weight 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) Length 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m) ADULT MALE FACTS. 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. 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. A few of the animals are found in Chile. But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. In both sexes, the body is long and robust, and the neck very thick. ... in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. 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. The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. 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. Female’s snouts grow just beyond the mouth and have smoother necks. Point Robinson is adjacent to the narrowest part of Puget Sound, and the whales sometimes come spectacularly close to shore. Males feed in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska, while females travel further to offshore waters of Washington and Oregon. Males start to form harems around 9-10 years old and battle for status among the adult males. 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. Northern Elephant Seal Northern elephant seals are large and imposing, with significant differences in size and shape between sexes (sexual dimorphism). Other places it is found include the coast of Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. \"Where do they go?\" - a simple question that has been difficult to answer. ~ Fun Fact ~Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. 13-19 years, Weight The U.S and Mexico stock of Northern elephant seals has survived and derived by the few hundred individuals not targeted during commercial sealing. 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). They were once thought to be extinct after commercial sealing which occurs in the 1800s. Pups increase their birthweight by a factor of 3-7 times on mother's milk alone. WDFW sets new rules for comme, NOAA Fisheries West Coast - Northern 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. Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. @WDFW sets new rules for commercial whale-watching to protect southern residents. Males have an enlarged proboscis or ‘trunk’, hence the name 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. They have a social hierarchy based on the male’s harems, which is the grouping of females. Pups are born black and will molt into a silver coat after 4-6 weeks, once they are weened. In 1978, 872 were born there. The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. The males are very large with a weight of up to 5,000 pounds. They lack external ear flaps and have smaller fore flippers than other pinnipeds. Northern elephant seals are the largest of the “true”, or “earless”, seals in all of the Northern Hemisphere. Adult females will return to California or Mexico, and go ashore between March and August to molt. For northern elephant seals, the situation is similar, but less extreme. Northern elephant seals feed mainly on squid and fishes, however, their diet also consists of rays and sharks. The northern and southern elephant seal can be distinguished by various external features. Elephant seal pups weigh around 75 pounds (34 kg) when they are born. Race Rocks, along with the Pacific Coast, is the northernmost breeding ground. The population estimate for the California stock of Northern elephant seals is around 180,000. Males are larger than females and can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh over 4,000 pounds. Females are significantly smaller than males, but are still grow to about 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,300 pounds. Fully grown males can reach lengths of over 13 feet and can weigh nearly 4,400 pounds. The adult male, “the elephant of the sea,” has a large flexible snout that looks like an elephant’s trunk. Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. 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). Killer whales, sharks and other seals are their main predators. Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina and Mirounga angustirostris) There are two species of elephant seal. 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