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Elephant seals feed on squid, fish, sharks, rays, shellfish, krill, and algae. Histriophoca fasciata, ribbon seal [11], Elephant seals have external whiskers called vibrissae to help them locate prey and navigate their environment. [11], Elephant seals have a helpful feature in their bodies known as the countercurrent heat exchanger to help conserve energy and prevent heat loss. Table adapted from Arnason et al., 2006. [11] They can also slow down their metabolism while performing deep dives. Eumetopias jubatus, northern sea lion Reward Posted for Information in Shooting of Elephant Seal Near Highway 1 Viewing Area, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal, Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative, stock assessment reports with population estimates are available, Learn more about our conservation efforts, Incidental Take Authorization: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Geophysical Surveys at the Cascadia Subduction Zone and Juan de Fuca Plate in the. Arctocephalus australis, South American fur seal The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are . [11] The new pups will spend up to 10 additional weeks on land learning how to swim and dive.[11]. Southern elephant seals receive additional protection in various countries within their range. It's much more mobile than an elephant seal, and it's not mainly made of blubber. The mother nurses the pup for approximately a month. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Please be respectful of copyright. That's 18 teeth on the top and 20 on the bottom. [11] The reduction of their limbs helps them be more streamlined and move easily in the water. Both species are thought to have originated from monachinoid seals that made their way from the Atlantic into the Pacific about 15 to 20 million years ago when the barrier between the two oceans was open across central America. Lobodontini The elephant seal has a number of interesting and distinguishing characteristics.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'animals_net-medrectangle-4','ezslot_14',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-medrectangle-4-0'); The Northern elephant seal species lives offshore in the open ocean most of the year. Instead, the sea lion tail is used like a rudder. The 'extreme cruelty' around the global trade in frog legs, What does cancer smell like? As such some of these, southern elephant males, can grow up to 4000kg in weight and be over 6m long. Females give birth to a single pup each year after an 11-month pregnancy. They take their name from their trunklike inflatable snouts. Phoca caspica, Caspian seal Elephant seals were once hunted for their oil to the point where they were pushed to the brink of extinction. [11] They display their dominance by showing their noses, making loud vocalisations, and altering their postures. Elephant seals congregate in large numbers on beaches to breed. Females come ashore and within a few days give birth to a pup conceived in the previous breeding season. [11], Elephant seals take their name from the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), reminiscent of an elephant's trunk, and considered a secondary sexual characteristic. Northern elephant seal. Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. The elephant seal is an immense animal, with the smallest adult female weighing in at an average of 1,500 pounds! Phocids (A.K.A true seals) can be distinguished from Otariidae (A.K.A eared seals) by looking for a few specific characteristics. Their nervous system has an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents them from breathing at inappropriate times. The northern elephant seal is slightly smaller. [10] Elephant seals are considered true seals, and fall under the family Phocidae. Thank you for reading! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'animals_net-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-large-leaderboard-2-0');Elephant seals spend most of their lives at sea, roaming the open ocean and the depths of the seas in search of food. A recent study by US scientists revealed that beaked whale populations are in decline. Additionally, true seals swim by using rear flippers while sea lions swim by using their fore flippers. 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. The longest life expectancy of a male northern elephant seal is approximately 14 years. - Earless seals or true seals They grow up to 10 feet in length, they are one of the largest living members of the seal family and can weigh up to 1,200 pounds. And here we explore some of the most extreme examples of breath-holding in the animal kingdom and how they match up with record-breaking human free-divers. Though they range as far north as Alaska, they typically breed and give birth in the Channel Islands off California or Baja California in Mexico, primarily on offshore islands from December to March. Gerald and Buff Corsi California Academy of Sciences. - Walruses The northern elephant seal is slightly smaller than its southern relative. Known for their large nose, which is called a proboscis, elephant seals are an incredibly unique species of animal. One reason the African elephant has enormous ears is to help dissipate its internal body heat. Class: | Mammalia One of the most obvious differences between these two creatures is the presence of tusks. They are rarely seen out at sea for this reason. Neophoca cinerea, Australian sea lion Todays 5-year-olds will likely live to 100, How to take better care of your aging brain. They employ these different strategies because females are smaller, requiring less food, and it is also most important for them to have as many breeding seasons as possible in order to maximize reproductive success. In 2011, the BBC documentary Human Planet showed the first footage of this feat. Southern elephants are the largest of all seals. Odobenus rosmarus, walrus (See diagram on the left). recent tracking study of adult female elephant seals, another free-diving world record for the longest underwater swim, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine. Though both male and female elephant seals spend time at sea, their migration routes and feeding habits differ: Males follow a more consistent route while females vary their routes in pursuit of moving prey. Phocini The relative ancestry between different pinnipeds is still uncertain, but they all are thought to be descendants of bear-like animals [17]. They are even known to "smell" underwater, bubbling air from their nose close to potential prey before sucking it back in. In a 2007, at an event held in Greece he reached a word record-breaking depth of 214m. There is a notable difference in lifespan between males and females. But elephant seals can intimidate them with their massive size. Males and females are so different in size and appearance that they may not be recognized as members of the same species. In addition, they have a larger proportion of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Northern elephant seals have reduced genetic variation probably because of a population bottleneck humans inflicted on them in the 1890s. Adam says that meditation is a crucial part of free-diving. There are eight different disciplines - six competition disciplines, and two that free-diver Adam Drzgaza, the free-diver who features in the video above, explains are "just for records or for fun". [4] It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, fish, and birds, particularly penguins. Read on to learn about the elephant seal. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Watch This Great White Shark Capture a Cape Fur Seal Up-Close, Watch a Sea Dog Hitch a Ride With a Kayaker and Refuse to Leave, Seals vs Sea Lions: 5 Major Differences Explained, Discover the 10 Largest Seals in the World, Watch This Hero Run Into a Swarm of Seals to Save Ones Life, Walrus vs Elephant Seal: 5 Key Differences. Meanwhile, the Southern elephant seal prefers the colder climate and waters of the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic. The average lifespan of a northern elephant seal is 9 years, while the average lifespan of a southern elephant seal is 21 years. Males form harems usually when they are 9 to 10 years of age, battling other males for control. Read about our approach to external linking. Thankfully, Coolio received a new lease on life at the Pittsburg Zoo & PPG Aquarium, where he now helps educate the public. The pups are weaned after about a month, and just before she leaves her pup, she breeds again and then returns to sea. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. These adaptations allow elephant seals to dive to such depths and remain underwater for up to two hours. Read on to learn about the elephant seal. New AI may pass the famed Turing test. Elephant seals are carnivores. This is an incredibly important distinction between these two animals, as a mother walrus can be particularly dangerous if she feels that her baby is threatened. Seals, walruses, whales, otters, and others rely on the back end of their bodiestheir tailto produce thrust. 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. The elephant is among the more intelligent animals. Hunting reduced their population size to as few as 20 individuals at the end of the 19th century. 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. reduced genetic variation from the original population. It is estimated that the adult male northern elephant seal can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. Ommatophoca rossi, Ross seal [11], Milk produced by elephant seals is remarkably high in milkfat compared to other mammals. Phocinae, northern true seals Females feed in pelagic regions where they are less likely to find prey, but also less likely to be preyed upon. There are two species of elephant seals: northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) and southern and southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). They drag their bodies along using their front flippers only, while walruses have a bit more mobility, comparatively. Males feed in benthic regions with more abundant food sources, but also more abundant predators. 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 . Not me. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Walruses are covered in a tough skin with sparse coarse hair, while elephant seals have a thin layer of brown or gray hair covering their entire body. For example, walruses average anywhere from 7-12 feet long and weigh 800-4,000 pounds, while elephant seals average 10-16 feet long and can weigh 2,000-6,000 pounds! The females hunt in an open ocean while the male elephant seals search for food on the ocean floor. Huntington's chorea: Evolution and genetic disease. I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. [10], Due to evolutionary changes, their ear has been modified to work extremely well underwater. Once they molt, a sleek, silver-gray coat is revealed. [11] Sexual dimorphism is extreme, with male elephant seals weighing up to 10 times more than females, [12] and having a prominent proboscis. Zalophus californianus, Californian sea lion 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. Targeted management actions taken to protect these seals include: Our research projects have discovered new aspects of northern elephant seal biology, behavior, and ecology and have helped us better understand the challenges that all elephant seals face. Walruses are members of the Odobenus genus, while elephant seals are members of the Mirounga genus. Both species spend most of their lives at sea and return to land to breed and molt. When on land, elephant seals move about using an undulating or worm-like motion. [11], Sheathbills, Skuas, Western Gulls, and African feral cats have been reported to steal milk from the elephant seals' teats.[30][31][32][33]. Scientists in our Marine Mammal Laboratory conduct wide-ranging research on the biology, life history, and health of northern elephant seals including: Learn about our northern elephant seal research, Entanglement in Fishing Gear, Male and female animals take different migration paths throughout the year. When molting occurs, the seal is susceptible to the cold, and must rest on land, in a safe place called a "haul out". [11] The females and juveniles will molt first, followed by the sub adult males, and finally the large mature males. Both species are listed as of Least Concern by IUCNs Red List. Lobodon carcinophagus, crabeater seal Females generally live for about 19 years, while males only live for about 13 years. Before sucking it back in, southern elephant seal is an immense,! Swim by using rear flippers while sea lions swim by using rear flippers sea. Their nose close to potential prey before sucking it back in elephant seal approximately. 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