Mammals of the WorldNorthern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Phocidae
- Genus
- Mirounga
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Canada|Mexico|United States|Japan
- Realm
- Marine
Other names: Northern Sea Elephant
About this species
- Size
- Females about 3m; males over 4m
- Weight
- Females up to 590kg; males nearly 2,000kg
- Diet
- Squid, fish, rays and sharks
- Habitat
- Open eastern and central North Pacific
The northern elephant seal is the Northern Hemisphere's largest true seal. Mature males develop an inflatable proboscis and a thick, scarred neck used during contests; females retain a smaller nose and smoother outline. Males can exceed 4m and approach 2,000kg, whereas females grow to about 3m and 590kg. Adults are dark brown or grey (NOAA Fisheries species account). in documented populations.
The species spends roughly nine months each year at sea, repeatedly diving 300–760m for squid and fish, with rays and sharks also taken. Breeding and moulting occur on sandy beaches, when adults fast for weeks and may lose substantial body mass. Most breeding colonies lie off California and Baja California, while feeding migrations extend through the eastern and central North Pacific (NOAA Fisheries species account).
Description: Wildlife of Japan guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)