An adult male seal is called a bull. Large males, who fast for 3 months during the breeding season, will also lose about a third of their body weight. Northern elephant seal pups are black until they are weaned at about 6 weeks old, when they molt and turn light silver. Elephant seal, also called sea elephant, either of the two largest pinnipeds (aquatic mammals of the suborder Pinnipedia): the northern elephant seal (species Mirounga angustirostris), now found mainly on coastal islands off California and Baja California; or the southern elephant seal (M. leonina), found throughout sub-Antarctic regions. Deep Sea Divers – Elephant seals can hold their breath for up to 2 hours. Fact 16: Generally, seals can hold their breath underwater for 3 minutes, but some species can stay submerged for up to 30 minutes. The Privacy policy on this site provides further information. Ground squirrels are wild animals, carriers of fleas and possible diseases, and occasionally they do bite. This is a “pack in- pack out” site. Adult and sub-adult males spend 8 to 9 months at sea. Friends of the Elephant Seal is a cooperating association with California State Parks. When molting, the seal must avoid the cold ocean temperatures, and rest on land, in a safe place called a “haul out”. One of these adaptations is that during dives the flow of blood to their skin and extremities is limited – sending blood mostly to their brain and core organs. Elephant facts 1) There are three different species of elephant – the African Savannah elephant, the African Forest elephant and the Asian elephant. THEY MAINLY EAT SQUID. This annual month long process of shedding their entire outer layer of skin and hair is called a catastrophic molt. Elephant seals belong to the group of true seals. Copyright © Friends of the Elephant Seal | 2020 All rights reserved. They can hold their breath for more than 100 minutes – longer than any other non-cetacean mammal. … Only males develop the large proboscis. There may be as few as 10 and as many as 50 females surrounding an alpha male. People frequently think the seals on the beach are dead because they aren’t moving or breathing. All seals share some general physical characteristics. The sensory abilities provided by their whisker and their eyesight assist them in finding food. Can you see how the elephant seal got its name? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Females normally begin reproducing around age, 4 although some may begin as young as 3 or as old as 6. The species’ diet consists of deep-dwelling animals such as rays, skates, octopus, large fish, and squid, hence the deep diving! Elephant seals are shielded from extreme cold more by their blubber than by fur. 1. Fortunately, they have The large males, those with the big noses that give elephant seals their names, are only on the beach in July-August to molt and in December-March for the birthing and mating seasons. Discover the world's biggest seal: where found, diet, predators and more. Most mammals shed hair year-round, but the elephant seal does it all at once. Southern Elephant Seal Video Males and females hunt differently. Take a look below for 25 more fun and weird facts about elephant seals. Northern elephant seal adult males and young adult males haul out during June to August to molt. About Elephant Seals Seals on the sand. It starts to grow when they enter puberty at about age five and, by the time they are nine, their nose is over 2 feet long. A baby elephant is called a calf; A group of elephants is called a ‘herd’ Female elephants are referred to as ‘cows’ and males are called ‘bulls’. Follow Friends of the Elephant Seal on our social channels for up-to-the-minute updates and images from the rookery. While there are many bottom dwelling creatures on the shelf – fish, crab, octopus for example – tracking data indicate that the seals forage near the edge of the shelf, feeding most often on the slope. On soft sand they can move faster than most humans when they perceive a threat to themselves or their harem. 17 interesting and fun facts about elephant seals - The harmless sea elephants are currently restoring the population that has been shaken during the active hunt for these animals. Slightly further down are two nipples – more prominent on the females. One studyeven recorded a female elephant seal diving to 5,700 feet on multiple occasions. Friends of the Elephant Seal is a 501(c) (3) non- profit corporation, relying on grants, sponsorships, memberships and your donations. The Friends of the Elephant Seal does not share your personal information with outside advertisers or other organizations. Largest seal is Southern elephant seal that can reach 13 feet in length and weight up to 2 tones. 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. Elephant Seal Facts for Kids Facebook Twitter ReddIt Pinterest WhatsApp Elephant seals belong to the group of true seals. Males can live to 14; females into their 20’s. Elephant seal rookery in early December (left), and late January (right). They spend most of their lives at sea foraging off the coast of Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. Only 30% of pups, male and female, live to be 4 years old. 1) An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! The seal has a large body, short front flippers with nails, and webbed hind flippers. However, overcrowding or failure to successfully wean a pup can prompt them to move to another rookery. The Piedras Blancas Rookery was populated from San Miguel Island, San Nicolas Island, and Ano Nuevo. There are no restrooms at the viewing site, so plan accordingly. Seal produce milk with 50% fats. Northern elephant seal facts! Seals range greatly in size, from the gargantuan southern elephant seal, which can weigh more than a pickup truck, to the relatively slender, 100-pound Baikal seal. Copyright © Friends of the Elephant Seal | 2020 All rights reserved. Some males never are able to win sufficient fights to get land and a harem. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 – 800 kg. Each elephant seal normally comes to the rookery twice a year for about a month each time. Elephant Seals Facts, Macquarie Island Beach Lion Photos. Elephant seals take their name from the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), which resembles an elephant’s trunk. These changes allow them to use less oxygen. Elephant seals were hunted to the brink of extinction by the end of the 19th century. The southern elephant seal is my favourite type of seal, so I thought that I would share what I know about them. Female elephant seals are smaller than males, growing to about nine feet long and 1,300 pounds. Pups are 3 to 4 feet long and weigh 60 to 80 pounds at birth. Adult females are almost twice the size of males. The skin has to be regrown by blood vessels reaching through the blubber. Males enter puberty around 5 years of age, but they don’t reach their full size and maturity until they are around 9. Elephant seals eat other aquatic creatures such as eels, rays, fish, crustaceans, squid, penguins, and other creatures. Large body size, a large nose, and a deep booming voice can help a large male intimidate challengers and help them avoid energy-depleting fights. Elephants Facts for Kids. An adult female seal is called a cow . Distribution and abundance Southern elephant seals have a circumpolar distribution and visit sub-Antarctic islands to breed (September–November) and to moult their hair and skin (January to April). The molting process occurs on land, during which time the … Your charitable contribution supports our programs. Adult females are 9 to 12 feet in length and weigh between 900 and 1800 pounds. Fact 15: The Southern Elephant seal holds the record for the deepest recorded dive of 2,388 meters. Male elephant seals weigh as much as a small truck or cargo van. The seals may be solitary at sea, but become very social on the beach. In addition to getting their oxygen from air in their lungs, they store it in their blood and muscles. Be among the first to receive updates, photos, events and more about the Piedras Blancas northern elephant seal colony. Quick facts about the world's second largest seal! In addition, they practice a form of apnea; a breath-holding state. Southern Elephant Seal Facts. Enormous & Big Mammals! The pups go from 60 to 80 pounds at birth to 250 to 330 pounds at weaning, quadrupling their birth weight. They have twice the blood volume and 50% more red blood cells than a land mammal of their size, and large amounts of oxygen-storing myoglobin in their muscles. The length is measured at 4 feet. Seals range greatly in size, from the gargantuan southern elephant seal, which can weigh more than a pickup truck, to the relatively slender, 100-pound Baikal seal. Also known as sea elephants, elephant seals (genus Mirounga) are large aquatic mammals residing in sub-Antarctic regions. The elephant seal has a number of interesting and distinguishing characteristics. Southern elephant seals can travel up to 33,800 km (21,000 miles) per year, the longest known migration for any mammal. By the end of lactation, the fat content reaches 65% and has the consistency of mayonnaise. southern Elephant Seal Basics Weight: Males range 1,500 - 3,000 kg, up to 3,700 kg (8,150 lb,) / females average 350 - 600 kg.up to 800 kg (1,800 lb.) Elephant seals are great at holding their breath and can remain submerged for up to two hours straight. Their milk is among the richest of any mammal, averaging 55% fat. While they are ashore for birthing and breeding, the females will lose 30 to 40 percent of their body mass. Sexual dimorphism is spotted on this animal because the female usually has the weight 10 times less than the male the counterpart. Elephant seals are aquatic animals and live on the Pacific Coast. Apnea can last as little as 8 minutes in weaners and up to 25 minutes in adult males. Elephant seal can be grey, light or dark brown or tan-colored, depending on the age, gender and season. Follow Friends of the Elephant Seal on our social channels for up-to-the-minute updates and images from the rookery. Drones are not permitted in the rookery area. Females in deep water are most likely to eat lanternfish, hake and ragfish and squid to a lesser extent. Large males are 14 to 16 feet in length and weigh 3,000 to 5,000 pounds. Seal Facts For Kids - Complete Knowledge Dite, Species, Habitat, Size and Much More - Duration: 3:34. It is a member of the family Phocidae (true seals). The Privacy policy on this site provides further information. The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal). 1) There are three different species of elephant – the African Savannah elephant, the African Forest elephant and the Asian elephant. Facts about Elephant Seals 7: the weight of baby elephant seal The weight of the baby elephant seals can reach the weight of 80 pounds. Their torpedo shaped bodies allow them to glide through the ocean flawlessly (with little water resistance). Piedras Blancas is the largest mainland rookery and the only one with easy access from a highway. Junk in the Trunk – Male elephant seals are significantlylarger than female eleph… Interesting Elephant seal Facts: Elephant seal can reach 10 to 20 feet in length and 2000 to 8800 pounds of weight. Do not feed the squirrels. The primary predators of southern elephant seal are killer whales, leopard seal, and great white shark. Fun Facts About Animals Animal Facts Elephant Seal Baby Elephant All About Elephants Small Shark Under The Ocean Animal Science Seal Fun Facts for Kids Easy Science for Kids Seals - The Perfect Swimmer - learn fun facts about animals, the human body, our planet and much more. • Male elephant seals are called bulls. Elephant seal can be grey, light or dark brown or tan-colored, depending Elephants are known for their large ears, tusks made of ivory and their trunks – which are actually a fusion of their nose and upper lip. 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. Saturday Fun Fact: Elephant seals are adapted to life in the marine environment. During apnea, their heart rate decreases. Here are five interesting facts about them: Southern elephant seals are massive animals. Therefore the Elephant seal is one of the largest members of the order Carnivora. Elephant seals have made a number of adaptations in order to dive so deep and stay down so long. Northern elephant seal facts! 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. Elephant seals take their name from the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), which resembles an elephant’s trunk. Both males and females have navel indentations about 2/3 of the way down their bodies. Elephant seals are large seals that live in the ocean, of which there are two species, both of which were hunted almost to extinction by the close of the 19th century. Elephant Seal Facts for Kids. The largest known bull elephant seal was 6.7 metres in length and weighed 3400 kilograms (about four tons). Eight individuals were sighted on the island and scientists killed 6. Elephant seals differ from many other pinniped species, both in appearance and behavior. The number of seals at the rookery peaks three times during the year: in late January when most births have occurred, around the first of May at the peak of the juvenile/adult female molt, and in late October during the fall or juvenile haul-out. They normally dive 1,000 to 2,000 feet but can go down as deep as 5,000 feet. Actually, they are just conserving energy. 2. An infant seal is called a pup. 2) Elephants are the world’s largest land animal! The northern elephant seal is found in California while the southern elephant seal lives in sub-Antarctic waters and are the species you may see on our many trips around the region. Most elephant seals return to the beaches where they were born. A Few Facts About Elephant Seals. Seal color depends on gender, age, and season. Click for even more facts & download the worksheets. Females are a lot smaller and can weigh Fights can last from a few minutes to half an hour or more, depending on how evenly matched the bulls are. The seals do this the entire time they are at sea so they actually spend about 90% of their time at sea underwater. 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. Elephant seals are shielded from extreme cold more by their blubber than by fur. Quick facts about the world's second largest seal! Northern elephant seals have a diet of mostly squid and fishes, but also rays and sharks. Elephant seals are the largest seals, exceeding the walrus in size. The numbers have recovered since. Their favorite foods vary by their foraging locations. But only a few live that long. They all have streamlined bodies for moving through the water and four flippers. Three species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. Males can weigh a whopping 3000kg and span over six metres long. While resting on the beach, the seals fast (don’t eat), living off their blubber. The seal mainly feeds on fish and squid. Empty lungs allow them to dive with little effort, and without developing the bends. Elephant seal rookery in early December (left), and late January (right). Elephant facts. Facts The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is the largest species of seal in the world. Elephant seals can dive up to 4,900 feet deep and Northern elephant seals spend much of the year—generally about 9 months—in the ocean. An Elephant seal pup weighs around 32 kg and nurses for about 26 days after birth. Length: Males typically 4.5m - … In order to get healthy new skin, elephant seals need to spend about a month on the beach so that their blood can circulate continuously to the skin without an excessive loss of body heat. Elephant seals are shielded from cold by their blubber, much more than by … 2) The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. At that point they weigh approximately 120 kg. Mothers spend about one month with their pup. Male elephant seals weigh as much as a small truck or cargo van. Dogs and seals do not mix. Adults are dark brown or gray. There is a thick blubber layer beneath the skin to insulate the animals in cold water. Fun Facts. They spend only brief amounts of time at the surface to rest between dives (2–3 minutes). Find answers to the most common questions about the elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas Rookery. At the peak of the breeding season around 90% of the adult males have fresh wounds obtained from combat. Pups are 3 to 4 feet (1 m) long at birth and weigh about 70 pounds (32 kg). There are two main types of elephant seal, the northern and southern seal. Elephant seals take their name from the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), which resembles an elephant’s trunk. The northern elephant seal is the largest seal in the northern hemisphere and the second largest seal in the world (after the southern elephant seal). Their trunk-like nose serves two purposes: Males use the proboscis to generate loud roars to fend off other males, and both males and females use it to re-absorb moisture during their mating fasts. 1. They don’t even breathe much of the time, to conserve both water and energy. The annual cycle begins in November with the arrival of mature males at the end of the month. 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). • These seals were hunted Friends of the Elephant Seal is a 501(c) (3) non- profit corporation, relying on grants, sponsorships, memberships and your donations. In addition, they sometimes can be seen flipping sand under stressful conditions. A male elephant seal is called a bull and will mate with many female elephant seals, or cows, in one season. Please check the Plan Your Visit page on this website for more information. Here's some other interesting and fun facts about southern elephant seals. As the elephant seals rebounded from near-extinction, they first re-established colonies on the islands off the shore of Baja California and California. During the time they are ashore they are fasting. Fact 36: Elephant seals have what is called “smoker’s blood”. These creatures' bodies are adapted to handle deep dives. (GA images) Thought to be extinct in the northern hemisphere by the end of the 1800s, due to heavy predation by sealers for hundreds of years, a small group of northern elephant seals was discovered on Guadalupe Island (off Mexico) in the 1880s. In order to dive so deep and stay down in the cold ocean so long, the elephant seals have had to make a number of adaptations. The females are much smaller at about 9 to 12 feet (2.5 to 4 m) in length and weigh 900 … The males can grow to be 20 feet long and weigh over 8,000 pounds, which is more than the average pickup truck weighs. During the breeding season, bulls battle each other for the right to breed with the females. They spend most of their lives at sea foraging off the coast of Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. Southern elephant seal males typically reaching a length of 5 m (16 ft) and a weight of 3,000 kg (6,600 lb), and are much larger than the adult females, with some exceptionally large males reaching up to 6 m (20 ft) in length and weighing 4,000 kg (8,800 lb); females typically measure about 3 m (10 ft) and 900 kg (2,000 lb). When these rookeries became too crowded, they began colonizing mainland beaches. Their trunk-like nose serves two purposes: Males use the proboscis to generate loud roars to fend off other males, and both males and females use it to re-absorb moisture during their mating fasts. The males use their big nose… Their lungs have cartilage ribbing in them, which allow them to spring back and inflate upon coming to the surface. There are no trash cans. The neck and chest area of a large bull is protected by a thick layer of blubber and has scarred calloused skin. Most mammals shed hair year-round, but the elephant seal does it all at once. They do this  24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The length is measured at 4 feet. He protects his females from the amorous attentions of other males. Once at the Center, veterinarians found that 9-month-old Bilbo had a fractured jaw and a fractured right front flipper, in addition to the wounds on his back, shoulder and neck. Males are 5 to 6 time larger than females. The younger males, often seen sparring either on the beach or in the shallow waters offshore, are learning how to fight. The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)! They were close to extinction because they were hunted for their oil. The lifespan of a female southern elephant seal is about 20 to 25 years while males They are dark grey immediately after moulting, fading through the year to a rusty greyish brown. The maximum lifespan of male seals is 14 years; females may live to be over 20. They dive for 20 minutes to over an hour, surface and breathe for 2 to 4 minutes and then dive again. If you witness someone harassing a marine animal, call 1.805.927.2068. – Elephant seals … Please observe these guidelines – they are for the comfort and safety of you and the seals! Their babies gain 3-5 pounds daily thanks to milk. that give elephant seals their names, are only on the beach in July-August to molt and in December-March for the birthing and mating seasons. Jul 9, 2014 - Explore Hanna Shirley's board "Elephant seal" on Pinterest. If you continue browsing, we take that to mean that you accept their use. Most elephant seal rookeries are on islands, with the largest colonies on the Channel Islands. Elephant seals are protected by federal law. Pups need to grow from 60 to 80 pounds at birth up to around 300 pounds in just one month. There are a number of rookeries on the Pacific coast of North America, stretching from Baja California in the south to Race Rocks on Vancouver Island, Canada in the north. Sand flipping helps them keep cool on land by acting as a sunscreen. Eight individuals were sighted on the island and scientists killed seven. It is. They are able to divert the flow of blood from their extremities and restrict it to just their vital internal organs – especially their heart and brain. Elephant seals dive to 1,550 m (5,090 ft) beneath the ocean’s surface, though the average depth of their dives is about 300 to 600 m (980 to 1,970 ft), typically for around 20 minutes for females and 60 minutes for males. . The dunes and other bluff areas outside the fences or ropes are home to protected native plants and animals. Rarely. Southern Elephant Seal Facts for Kids The southern elephant seal is the heaviest of the seals. Mothers, who don’t eat while nursing, don’t have the physical resources to get more than one pup to that weight in this limited time period. These animals are huge when compared with other pinnipeds. The elephant seal, like other mammals, must replace old skin and hair. The females look for food in the open seas while males look for food at the floor of the ocean. Elephant seals were hunted to the brink of extinction by the end of the 19th century. Elephant Seal Behaviour The elephant seal is a powerful swimmer and well adapted to an aquatic life. Fortunately, their numbers have since recovered. 5 Elephant Seal Facts • These seals spend approximately nine months of the year in the water. Visit the Piedras Blancas rookery! They are very sociable animals and get their name from their massive size and the male’s trunk-like snout. Elephant seals are large, oceangoing earless seals in the genus Mirounga. Fact 37: Common seals may spend See more ideas about Elephant seal, Elephant, Sea lion. Males are 5 to 6 time larger than females. In 2000, in Gisborne, New Zealand, there was an elephant seal that attacked anything that was too close or on his area, like cars, boat trailers, trees, and trash bins. Weaners practice at night to learn to swim and dive in preparation for the dark of the ocean depths in which they will feed. They can cover 60 miles a day when they head out to sea. At the start of lactation, the fat content is lower and the water content higher. The pressure actually deflates their lungs completely. Elephant seals like large sandy beaches that do not have a significant human presence. A male southern elephant seal weighs up to SEVEN times as much as a polar bear! The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)! Jul 9, 2014 - Explore Hanna Shirley's board "Elephant seal" on Pinterest. Once each year, the seal comes ashore and sheds the first layer of skin and fur, which come off in sheets as new skin and fur replace the old. Elephant seals may be rust, light or dark brown, or gray. Keep dogs on a leash and well away from the seals. The number of females in a harem varies according to the topography of the beach.
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