Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Phocidae Scientific Name : Mirounga Size(L) : 3m - 5m (10ft - 16ft) Weight : 900kg - 3,000kg (2,000lbs - 6,000lbs) Top Speed : 19km/h (12mph) Life Span : 18 - 22 years Colour : Brown, Black, Tan, Grey Skin Type : Fur Distinctive Features : Long trunk-like nose and large body
- Elephant Seals are the largest species of seals found in the world.
- There are two types- the Northern Elephant Seal and the Southern Elephant Seal.
- The northern Elephant seal inhabit the Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Canada and the USA.
- The southern elephant seal inhabits the coast of Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.
- The male elephant seals grow to an average length of 5m and the females are smaller at around 3m long.
- The large nose of the adult male resembles an elephant’s trunk and that is why they are named as elephant seals.
- Their nose is called proboscis and is used to make loud roaring noise during the mating season.
- Their nose also allows the male elephant seal to preserve vital moisture by acting as a rebreather.
- Incredibly, the elephant seals are able to hold their breath underwater for up to 2 hours!
- They are known to dive around 500m underwater and sometimes dive up to 1500m.
- They are carnivores feeding on fish, squid, octopus, eels and sometimes even small sharks.
- The southern elephant seals also prey on small species of penguin.
- Their thick skin, fur and thick layer of blubber keep them warm under freezing water.
- They are known to molt every year and need to find land to molt.
- They do not molt during the mating season, as they need not fight to protect child-bearing females.