Sea Elephant

Northern elephant seals are found in the North Pacific.

Elephant sea are sociable animals belonging to the Phocidae family. The northern elephant seal is yellowish or gray-brown, while the southern elephant seal is blue-gray. The southern species has an extensive molting period, during which significant areas of hair and skin fall out. Males of both species reach about 6.5 meters (21 ft) weigh about 3,530 kg (7,780 lb) and grow much larger than females, which sometimes reach 3.5 meters and weigh 900 kg.

Female elephant seals give birth for the first time around 4 years of age, although the range varies from 2 to 6 years. Females are considered physically mature at age 6. Males reach sexual maturity at about 4 years old when the nose grows. The nose is a secondary sexual characteristic, like a man’s beard, and can reach an astonishing length of half a meter. Males reach physical maturity at about 9 years of age. The main breeding age is 9-12 years. Northern elephant seals live an average of 9 years, while southern elephant seals live 20 to 22 years.

On the mainland, they may remain in the area for several months, allowing people to observe animals that normally live in subantarctic waters. The grace and speed of such large marine mammals can be impressive, and young seals can be very playful.Southern elephant seals are predators of the open ocean and spend most of their time at sea.