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). The have a large range in the Pacific Ocean and can be seen from Alaska to Mexico. 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). Size of a southern male elephant seal is about 6 meters (20 feet) long, and weight up to 6000 kilograms (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. Northern elephant seals have a diet of mostly squid and fishes, but also rays and sharks. Elephant seals are the largest seals on the earth with two major species i.e. Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. 4,400 pounds (1996 kg) Species: angustirostris largest pinniped outside Southern elephant seal (Ling & Bryden, 1981). 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. Did You Know? Northern & Southern elephant seal. 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 gestation period is around 11 months. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. They usually dive to depths of between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern … WDFW sets new rules for comme, NOAA Fisheries West Coast - Northern Elephant Seal. Northern Elephant Seal – Mirounga angustirostris Description. During mating season, Northern elephant seals fast and can lose up to 36% of their body weight. For northern elephant seals, the situation is similar, but less extreme. Blocking the path is a massive blob of quivering blubber, braying like a donkey. ~ Fun Fact ~Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. Northern elephant seals face threats such as entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, marine debris, and disturbance while on shore. 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 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 females are much smaller at 9-12 feet (2.5-4 m) in length and 900-1,800 pounds (400-800 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. In case you’re curious, the walrus is a close third behind the northern elephant seal when it comes to size. These seals may weigh about the same as a small SUV, but can look a lot like driftwood on the beach at first glance. Males return slightly after females. Northern elephant seals only take short breaks at the surface which is when they are likely to be seen from shore. Get involved! 13-19 years, Weight 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… 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. Males feed in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska, while females travel further to offshore waters of Washington and Oregon. Northern elephant seals are the largest of the “true”, or “earless”, seals in all of the Northern Hemisphere. @WDFW sets new rules for commercial whale-watching to protect southern residents. Pups increase their birthweight by a factor of 3-7 times on mother's milk alone. The adult male, “the elephant of the sea,” has a large flexible snout that looks like an elephant’s trunk. Elephant seal pups weigh around 75 pounds (34 kg) when they are born. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). Thanks to successful conservation projects they are thriving once again. Northern Elephant Seal Share your inspiring story below or tag #thewhaletrail. 2. Scientific Name Mirounga angustirostris Elephant seals are expert underwater hunters who search for food at night and are capable of diving deep below the waves. 4 feet (1.25 m), Weight They can dive to depth ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet (305-762m) for lengths of 20-30 minutes. They lack external ear flaps and have smaller fore flippers than other pinnipeds. They have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. Fun Facts for Kids. Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! 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. September-November is a good time to see them from shore. They spend 90% of the time in the water and dive deep into the sea to hunt for food. The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are shed. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Average weight: Males: 3,300–4,400 lb. 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. With development of affordable satellite-based tracking systems, t… The U.S and Mexico stock of Northern elephant seals has survived and derived by the few hundred individuals not targeted during commercial sealing. Since that time, elephant seals have continued to multiply exponentially, and they have extended their breeding range as far north as Point Reyes. But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. Northern elephant seals spend most of the year, about 9 months, in the ocean and can only be seen on land during pupping season. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. During this time, they survive only off of stored blubber (fat) and won't eat for up to five weeks. 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). Fully grown males can reach lengths of over 13 feet and can weigh nearly 4,400 pounds. The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. Found in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and islands off the West coast of North America, these enormous ocean sea mammals were one endangered. On the Whale Trail, Northern elephant seals can be seen at sea while they are at the surface between their long dives. https://wp.me/p6PjLG3CV #welcometheorcas #givethemspace, Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. AND ONE NEARLY WENT EXTINCT. The biggest bull Northern elephant seals weigh about 5,000 pounds. ... in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. Largest seal in the northern hemisphere. 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. Adult Northern elephant seals are light brown to black in color. As you explore the beaches, please be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe distance between you and any resting elephant seals. 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. The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. Male elephant seals reach 16 feet in length and weigh up to 4,000 pounds. With over a 13,000 mile roundtrip migrations, they have one of the longest migrations of any animals. 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. A few of the animals are found in Chile. April through August, elephant seals return to beaches to shed their skin, or molt. 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. 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. 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). Northern elephant seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are not considered endangered or threatened. Elephant seals, and pups in particular, are also on the menu of other animals. The other species, the southern elephant seal, lives in the Southern Hemispheres and is found in islands like Macquarie Island. 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. Males grow to huge sizes, and they can weigh 8,800 pounds (3,991 kg) or more. Southern elephant seals are the largest seal species, followed by Northern seals. The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). Females are significantly smaller than males, but are still grow to about 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,300 pounds. Length 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 of up to 5,000 pounds. ; Females: 990–1,300 lb. Point Robinson was one of the first locations on The Whale Trail! Adult females will return to California or Mexico, and go ashore between March and August to molt. The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. Both sexes have black whiskers and V-shaped hind flippers. 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. Northern elephant seals spend much of the year, generally about 9 months, in the ocean. 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 have the biggest weight difference between males and females of any animal species. Males have an enlarged proboscis or ‘trunk’, hence the name elephant seal. 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. Southern seals and Northern seals. Weight 1,300-2,000 (590kg- 907kg) Length 7-12 feet (2.1-3.6 m) ADULT MALE FACTS. Point Robinson is adjacent to the narrowest part of Puget Sound, and the whales sometimes come spectacularly close to shore. The population estimate for the California stock of Northern elephant seals is around 180,000. Northern elephant seals feed mainly on squid and fishes, however, their diet also consists of rays and sharks. NOAA Fisheries - Northern Elephant SealNOAA Fisheries West Coast - Northern Elephant Seal. Other places it is found include the coast of Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, they often travel alone when they are in the sea and when they migrate. 7 The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. 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. Learn More. 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 […] They use their large nose to makes sounds and vocally threatening other males. The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). Northern elephant seals range from Alaska, down the west coast to Mexico. These mam­mals are among the largest of the group com­pris­ing aquatic car­ni­vores 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. Female northern elephant seal. To prevent injury, they grow a protective layer of keratin on their chests, which acts as an important shield. The northern elephant seal lives up to nine years, and the southern elephant seal lives between twenty to twenty-two years. 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. Fish, molluscs, krill, crustaceans, squid and other sea life are usually on their menu. 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 biggest on record was nearly 11,000 pounds in weight. Females will come ashore only a few days before giving birth to her pup. 75 pounds (35 kg) Length The Elephant seals nose is used in producing extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season. Follow Washington State Ferries for guidance about ferry travel. Females reach 9 feet and 1,600 pounds. The Whale Trail depends on your support. The population began to increase in the 1900s. Pups are born black and will molt into a silver coat after 4-6 weeks, once they are weened. Look for groups of molting males at northern California sites like McKerrecher State Park. 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 female will breed again before her pup leaves and she returns to the ocean. They are shorter too at only 12 feet. The largest colonies are found off southern California and the Channel Islands. The females are much smaller when it comes to weight with only about 2,000 pounds. 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). rookery was studied in northern elephant seal pups at Aiio Nuevo Island, California. Females weigh about 2,000 pounds (907 kg). In this species, males max out at around 13 feet long and 4500 pounds , … They are the sole members of the genus ‘Mirounga’ of the family ‘Phocidae’ or ‘true seals’. Adult males may grow to 14-16 feet (4-5 m) in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg). What do they do when they are away? A key physical characters is the male’s elongated snout, called a proboscis. Fe­males reach a length of 3.1 m … One Southern seal recorded diving at a depth of almost 7,000 feet! The males are very large with a weight … But, there have been instances where these sea mammals have gone even deeper. Watching southern resident orcas from Point Robinson, Vashon Island, 2018. The elephant seal is in the phocid, or true seal, family. 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