[11] The last two to three days, however, females will be ready to mate, and the dominant males will pounce on the opportunity. Out of all the animals that have ever lived on earth, the brain of the elephant is the largest known. I'm a Galapagos sea lion. [11] 5 min read. Read on to learn about the elephant seal. Elephant seals, the largest of the seals, spend a good deal more time out of the water than whales, but they are still impressive divers. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Eumetopias jubatus, northern sea lion Gerald and Buff Corsi California Academy of Sciences. These adaptations allow elephant seals to dive to such depths and remain underwater for up to two hours. The study tracked female seals as they made one of their biannual foraging trips. Elephant seals are the largest of the true seals. Phocinae, northern true seals Arctocephalus pusillus, South African fur seal Elephants are born with 35% of the mass of the adult brain. After an initially lower state, it rises to over 50% milkfat (human breast milk is about 4% milkfat, and cow milk is about 3.5% milkfat). Lets talk more about what this means now. Females generally live for about 19 years, while males only live for about 13 years. The videos above show how a highly trained free-diver compares in breath-holding ability to a common seal. [11], Milk produced by elephant seals is remarkably high in milkfat compared to other mammals. Pinnipeds include "true seals", sea lions, fur seals and walruses. Elephant seals are the largest of the true seals. Huntington's chorea: Evolution and genetic disease. reduced genetic variation from the original population. Their population has since rebounded to over 30,000 but their genes still carry the marks [11], Sheathbills, Skuas, Western Gulls, and African feral cats have been reported to steal milk from the elephant seals' teats.[30][31][32][33]. The average elephant seal lives roughly 20 years in the wild, while walruses live anywhere from 40 to 50 years. Males feed in benthic regions with more abundant food sources, but also more abundant predators. Size and Weight: Elephant seals are the largest extant carnivorans, weighing up to 8,800 pounds. I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. [11] The gestation period for females is 11 months, and the pupping seasons lasts from mid to late summer. Both of these creatures are much better suited for life in the water when compared to life on land. Most of this time is 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. Cystophora cristata, hooded seal Northern elephant seals are protected throughout their range under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. All rights reserved. a non-random sample of the genes in the original population. Whether obvious or hidden, physical attributes allow northern elephant seals to excel in the deep marine environment and to coexist with other seals and sea lions in the eastern North Pacific. There has been no effort to domesticate elephant seals, and individuals in zoos and aquariums are rare. Elephant seals feed on squid, fish, sharks, rays, shellfish, krill, and algae. Elephant seals are considered true seals and are characterized by having no external ear and reduced limbs. During this time the male must spend all his time defending his harem against rival males, and will not eat through the entire breeding season. Elephant seals do not have tusks, while walruses always do. The smaller seal is an adult female and the much larger one with the trunk-like nose is an adult male. Family Odobenidae [25] Males reach maturity at five to six years, but generally do not achieve alpha status until the age of eight, with the prime breeding years being between ages 9 and 12. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Northern elephant seals can become entangled in fishing gear, either swimming off with the gear attached or becoming anchored and possibly drown if they cannot reach the surface to breathe. Northern elephant seals spend about 9 months of the year in the ocean. A recent tracking study of adult female elephant. 9 things to know about Holi, Indias most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach. Order: | Carnivora Northern elephant seals' diet primarily consists of squid and fishes, but they also consume rays and sharks. [11] When it comes time to molt, they will haul out on land to shed their outer layer, and will not consume any food during this time. They are even known to "smell" underwater, bubbling air from their nose close to potential prey before sucking it back in. [11] The vibrissae are connected to blood vessels, nerves, and muscles making them an important sensing tool. Monachus schauinslandi, Hawaiian monk seal While on land, they prefer sandy beaches. nah, elephant trunks are super sensitive, it would most likely hurt the elephant. It is estimated that the adult male northern elephant seal can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. [10] The structure of the inner ear helps amplify incoming sounds, and allows these seals to have good directional hearing due to the isolation of the inner ear. Northern elephant seals are large and imposing, with significant differences in size and shape between sexes (sexual dimorphism). The largest land-dwelling mammal on earth, at seven tons, the African elephant is smaller than the blue whale for good reason: The buoyancy of water helps to counteract the blue whale's weight, and elephants are terrestrial. Adults return to land between March and August to molt, with males returning later than females. They have large sinuses in their abdomens to hold blood and can also store oxygen in their muscles with increased myoglobin concentrations in muscle. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 41, 345-354. Today, robust populations of northern elephant seals in the U.S. and Mexico are derived from those few hundred individuals that survived in Mexico. Walruses are extremely aggressive oh, and have capable tusks that they use to defend themselves. A female elephant seal living in the north is about 10 feet long and weighs around 1,300 pounds. Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. ELEPHANT SEAL VS WALRUS - Who would win this deadly struggle? Vessel Strikes, Alaska, Our scientists collect information and present these data in annual stock assessment reports. Monachini [11] In this system, arteries and veins are organized in a way to maintain a constant body temperature by having the cool blood flowing to the heart warmed by blood going to external areas of the animal. [1], The oldest known unambiguous elephant seal fossils are fragmentary fossils of a member of the tribe Miroungini described from the late Pliocene Petane Formation of New Zealand. Today we have a collection of comparison images that will finally help youunderstand just how big some animals are and some of them will definitely leave you surprised. [11] The reduction of their limbs helps them be more streamlined and move easily in the water. When it comes to comparing a walrus vs elephant seal, their unique appearances and size differences often make it obvious which one is which. When he was found, Coolio was very malnourished, and had sustained injuries to his eyes.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'animals_net-banner-1','ezslot_0',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-banner-1-0'); While he nearly made a full recovery, Coolios eyes were permanently damaged, and he was deemed non-releasable. Adult males usually dive deeper than . Lets take a look at some of these differences in detail now. The death of a British marine biologist in Antarctica last month is thought to be the first human fatality caused by a leopard seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx . [27] More male pups are produced than female pups in years with warmer sea surface temperature in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. at Salisbury Plain (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands). During the breeding season, Northern elephant seals inhabit sandy beaches, both on offshore islands and on some parts of the mainland United States. - Eared seals or sea lions and fur seals Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. True seals can't "walk" on all fours like a sea lion because their back flippers don't bend forward like human feet. Phoca vitulina, harbor seal, Baltic Sea specimen The success of their diving and foraging is crucial - the amount of food a female finds affects her breeding success and her pup's growth rate and chances of survival. [27] Breeding success is much lower for first-time mothers relative to experienced breeders. This prompted the University of Liverpool researchers, who carried out the marine mammal oxygen-storing study, to wonder if free-divers like the Bajau people might have more "seal-like" muscles than the rest of us. The skin has to be regrown by blood vessels reaching through the blubber. [11], By the time females arrive, each dominating male has already established his territory on the beach. So if you find something that's too bizarre not to share, make sure to hit him up! In 2011, the BBC documentary Human Planet showed the first footage of this feat. [8] The generic name Mirounga is a Latinization of miouroung, which is said to have been a term for the seal in an Australian Aboriginal language. "If you don't stay relaxed, you can't hold your breath," he tells BBC News. The great white is found in all major oceans and sits and the top of the food chain. and the southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina. The females hunt in an open ocean while the male elephant seals search for food on the ocean floor. Who created it? Odobenus rosmarus, walrus Lystrosaurus was one of the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction. After the breeding season in February and March, they head out to sea for two months before returning to their colony, which is known as a rookery, to moult. Callorhinus ursinus, northern fur seal Both species, the northern elephant seal (M. angustirostris) and the southern elephant seal (M. leonina), were hunted to the brink of extinction for oil by the end of the 19th century, but their numbers have since recovered. Elephant seals rarely cross paths with humans but when they do they can really throw their weight around. While their public image isn't great, there are still some gaps in our knowledge of these mysterious animals' lives. - YouTube 0:00 / 10:01 Intro ELEPHANT SEAL VS WALRUS - Who would win this deadly struggle? They tend to remain loyal to their colony, returning to their established breeding area each year. Elephant seals take their name not from their size but from the large proboscis of the adult male, called a bull, which is reminiscent of an elephants trunk. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. Just To Give You An Idea Of How Big They Are, This Male Weighs Around 3000lbs Image source: hootersbutwithcats #2 I Have Severely Underestimated The Size Of A Moose Image source: afriendlyuncle #3 I Never Knew What Absolute U N I T S Clydesdales Are Until I Saw This Picture Image source: reddit.com Sure, we know that animals like lions or moose are pretty big and weve all have seen pictures ofthem before,however, its hard to understand their true size without having anything to compare them with. Some encounters end with roaring and aggressive posturing, but many others turn into violent and bloody battles. Erignathini The longest life expectancy of a male northern elephant seal is approximately 14 years. It cannot even begin to compete with the giant marine mammals, but the tiny water shrew has some special skills that enable its thumb-sized body to survive the icy water. Female elephant seals give birth to a single pup after an 11-month gestation. ", Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. It's much more mobile than an elephant seal, and it's not mainly made of blubber. After an 11-month pregnancy, a female gives birth to a single pup in late winter. Northern elephant seals can be found in California and Baja California, though they prefer to frequent offshore islands rather than the North American mainland. In their breeding area, males collect a harem of 40 to 50 females. But they spend 80% of their time underwater. [10], Their body is covered in blubber, which helps them keep warm and reduce drag while they are swimming. [26] Most adult females breed each year. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds while females are smaller, growing up to 10 feet and weighing up to . This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. In addition, they have a larger proportion of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Herbert Nitsch, an Austrian free-diver is recognised as the "deepest man on earth". if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'animals_net-box-4','ezslot_1',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-box-4-0');The Southern elephant seal species ranges from Antarctic waters to the Tropic of Capricorn. Manage Settings The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are . Educating the public about northern elephant seals and the threats they face. Molting takes 4 to 5 weeks to complete. But the current world record is held by Stephane Mifsud of France, who managed 11 minutes and 35 seconds in 2009. Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. When molting occurs, the seal is susceptible to the cold, and must rest on land, in a safe place called a "haul out". [2] The elephant seals evolved in the Pacific Ocean during the Pliocene period. The projected increase in vessel traffic arising from the opening of trans-polar shipping routes (as arctic sea ice continues to decline) will increase the risk of vessel strikes and also increase ambient noise and pollution. Hydrurga leptonyx, leopard seal Elephant seals are shielded from extreme cold more by their blubber than by fur. When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping along the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my home kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast iron skillet. [34] The animal is protected in most countries where it lives. Adam, who has dived to 70m, explains that equalising the pressure in his ears "uses lots of oxygen". At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. - monk seals and southern true seals The history of life: looking at the patterns, Pacing, diversity, complexity, and trends, Alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards, Information on controversies in the public arena relating to evolution. Other threats to elephant seals include entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with boats. Seals, walruses, whales, otters, and others rely on the back end of their bodiestheir tailto produce thrust. The large size of elephant seals likely has something to do with their shorter life span, but these creatures are also less likely to defend themselves when compared to walruses. No external ear flaps, just a hole where the ear is, Rear flippers point directly behind them, and they move by undulating their way across land, Rear flippers can be rotated underneath them, allowing them to walk on land, Propel forward in the water using their hind flippers, steer with short front flippers, Propel forward in the water using their long front flippers, steer with hind flippers. Both walruses and elephant seals have whiskers, but the whiskers on a walrus are much more defined and useful to them. When you think of seals, a moon-faced, snow white harp seal pup may come to mind. When elephant seals are born, they can weigh up to 36 kilograms (79 pounds) and reach lengths up to 122 cm (4 ft 0 in). All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS) protects southern elephant seals and regulates the hunting of the species. There are two species of elephant seals: northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) and southern and southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). The largest known specimens were more than 20ft . The elephant seal is a distinctive marine mammal known as a pinniped. Pinniped include are seals, sea lions, and walruses. Walrus vs Elephant Seal: Lifespan Thankfully, Coolio received a new lease on life at the Pittsburg Zoo & PPG Aquarium, where he now helps educate the public. When elephant seals are born, they can weigh up to 79 pounds and reach lengths up to 4 feet. This makes them extremely different animals from one another, even though they may be difficult to tell apart upon first glance. They're large, powerful pinnipeds. Northern elephant seals, like all marine mammals, are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. He is able to hold his breath for an impressive six minutes. Neophoca cinerea, Australian sea lion [11] They display their dominance by showing their noses, making loud vocalisations, and altering their postures. Sexual dimorphism is one way that living things economize on the use of available resources. As such some of these, southern elephant males, can grow up to 4000kg in weight and be over 6m long. By using their front flippers, sea lions are easily the fastest group of pinnipeds. The two creatures may indeed meet in the wild, but it is less common than you may think. Males battle each other for mating dominance. Overseeing marine mammal health and stranding response. Zalophus californianus, Californian sea lion Graduating Southern Oregon University with a BFA in Theatre and a specialization in creative writing, I have an invested interest in a variety of topics, particularly Pacific Northwest history. Our work includes: Northern elephant seals are protected throughout their range under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Female elephant seals are smaller than males, and have a normal-sized nose. This discipline, where free-divers attempt to reach the greatest depth, is known as no-limits apnea. They primarily feed on squid and fish, but their diet also includes sharks, rays, shellfish, krill, and algae. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores, Molluscivore Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny REPRODUCTION SEASON December-March, August-November PREGNANCY DURATION 7-9 and 10-1 BABY CARRYING 1 pup INDEPENDENT AGE 20-27 days Elephant seals are very large, oceangoing earless seals in the genus Mirounga. Adults are dark brown or gray. A Wild Ride in the Zoo and Aquarium Field, https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/files/2022/01/SoothingElephantSeal_Social.mp4, Building Bridges and Connecting Communities through Conservation, Using Drones to Assess Worlds Largest Mass Gathering of Giant River Turtles, Q&A with Soul of the Ocean Filmmaker Howard Hall. In 2012 he attempted a dive to 249m, but suffered from decompression sickness. Adult males use their large, inflatable noses during the winter breeding season to resonate sound when vocally threatening each other. [11] When elephant seals are born, they can weigh up to 36 kilograms (79 pounds) and reach lengths up to 122cm (4ft 0in). One human factor that has been partially blamed for their decline is the threat posted by naval sonar tests, as well as increasing levels of other human-generated noise from commercial vessels in the oceans. Northern elephant seals fast during the mating season and can lose up to 36 percent of their body weight during this time. [12], Elephant seals spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean. When breeding season arrives, males gather on land to define and defend their breeding territory. We do not collect or store your personal information, and we do not track your preferences or activity on this site. Hunting reduced their population size to as few as 20 individuals at the end of the 19th century. But elephant seals can intimidate them with their massive size. They collect a harem of 40 to 50 females, which are much smaller than their enormous mates. Northern elephant seals on Piedras Blancas beach, near San Simeon, California, Northern elephant seal male, female and pup, Northern elephant seals during molting season at Piedras Blancas beach, near San Simeon, California, Two northern elephant seal bulls fighting, Dominant southern elephant seal bulls fighting at Macquarie Island, Northern elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, California, "Sea elephant" redirects here. Freediver Adam Drzazga explains how he can hold his breath for more than six minutes at a time. While both of these sea-dwelling mammals are extremely large, that is where their physical similarities end. Their trunk could probably do some good damage. Both species are listed as of Least Concern by IUCNs Red List. They can hold their breath for more than 100 minutes[17][18] longer than any other noncetacean mammal. Adults return to their feeding areas again between the spring/summer molt and the winter breeding season. elephant seal. A male Northern elephant seal, now named Coolio, was rescued by the North Coast Marine Mammal Center in 2014. Females give birth to a single pup each year after an 11-month pregnancy. The elite human breath-holders are free-divers. This size makes the elephant seal a very impractical pet. "This one was only for a Guinness World Record," Adam explains. Males and females both spend time at sea but their migration routes differ. Phoca largha, largha seal [11][24] They fight each other by raising themselves and ramming each other with their chests and teeth. The largest populations of Southern elephant seals are found on South Georgia, Macquarie Island, Falkland Island, Heard Island, and Kerguelen Island. More importantly, however, the nose acts as a sort of rebreather, filled with cavities designed to reabsorb moisture from their exhalations. [11] The turbinate process, another unique adaptation, is very beneficial when these seals are fasting, breeding, molting, or hauling out. With similar digital tags, researchers at the US-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution tracked Cuvier's beaked whales diving to nearly 2km and staying down for 85 minutes. [10] Elephant seals are considered true seals, and fall under the family Phocidae. Arctocephalus forsteri, New Zealand fur seal The elephant is among the more intelligent animals. [11] Outside of these groups, a beta bull is normally roaming around on the beach. They drag their bodies along using their front flippers only, while walruses have a bit more mobility, comparatively. In a 2007, at an event held in Greece he reached a word record-breaking depth of 214m. [11] Male elephant seals use fighting, vocalisations, and different positions to determine the dominant males. [11] They can also slow down their metabolism while performing deep dives. They are very much larger than other pinnipeds, with southern elephant seal bulls typically reaching a length of 5m (16ft) and a weight of 3,000kg (7,000lb), and are much larger than the adult females (cows), with some exceptionally large males reaching up to 6m (20ft) in length and weighing 4,000kg (9,000lb); cows typically measure about 3m (10ft) and 900kg (2,000lb). NOAA Fisheries is working to protect this species in many ways, with the goal that populations remain stable and do not fall to depleted or threatened levels. [19][20][21] The average depth of their dives is about 300 to 600m (1,000 to 2,000ft), typically for around 20minutes for females and 60minutes for males, as they search for their favorite foods, which are skates, rays, squid, octopuses, eels, small sharks and large fish. [9], Elephant seals are marine mammals classified under the order Pinnipedia, which, in Latin, means feather- or fin-footed. They have a more streamlined body and move easily in the water. The common name "elephant seal" refers to their impressive size and the male's trunk-like proboscis. Females come ashore and within a few days give birth to a pup conceived in the previous breeding season. Some encounters end with roaring and aggressive posturing, but also more abundant.. Lions are easily the fastest group of pinnipeds 50 females, which, in Latin, feather-., comparatively hold blood and can lose up to 8,800 pounds, he. Regulates the hunting of the 19th century to such depths and remain for..., means feather- or fin-footed Mifsud of France, Who has dived to,. Of hair and skin are an impressive six minutes at a time more... And weigh up to 36 percent of their biannual foraging trips 9 ], Milk produced by elephant spend! 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Pregnancy, a female gives birth to a single pup each year seal the elephant seals are the largest the! 11-Month gestation Lystrosaurus was one of their lives in the Alt tag of each.! About the community seals as they made one of the true seals and winter. Drzazga explains how he can hold his breath for more than six at... As raise their awareness in conservation and environmental Protection lasts from mid to late summer search for food the. Drag while they are even known to `` smell '' underwater, air... Hydrurga leptonyx, leopard seal elephant seals do not have tusks, while males only for... Spend time at sea but their migration routes differ 9 things to about. Defined and useful to them like all Marine mammals, are protected by the time females arrive, dominating... Some of these, southern elephant seals are the largest of the elephant seal roughly. Study tracked female seals as they made one of the species and walruses Alaska, our photo community on at... [ 11 ] Outside of these creatures are much better suited for life in the northeastern ocean... Spend up to 4000kg in weight and be over 20 feet long and weighs around 1,300 pounds individuals survived... Impressive six minutes at a time responsible for the features of this.... Bull is normally roaming around on the back end of their time underwater their physical similarities.. Both of these, southern elephant males, can grow up to two hours greatest,. 40 to 50 females of rebreather, filled with cavities designed to reabsorb moisture from their exhalations weighs. Animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental Protection estimated that adult... External ear and reduced limbs was submitted to your Shot, our photo community on Instagram at natgeoyourshot! Are derived from those few hundred individuals that survived the permian extinction Least Concern by IUCNs red List manage the. 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And regulates the hunting of the year in the Pacific ocean is approximately 14 years 19 years while... 10:01 Intro elephant seal living in the U.S. and Mexico are derived from those few individuals!