NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL 



The animal derives its name from its enormous size and fleshy 

 "trunk. " In early days it was killed on the breeding grounds for its 

 blubber, and by 1890 was nearly exterminated. Under careful protec- 

 tion by the governments of Mexico and the United States, its numbers 

 have now increased to over 6, 000. 



Description 



The adult male is larger than any other seal or sea-lion, usually 

 measuring from 12 to 16 feet in length. None has been weighed but a 

 bull southern elephant seal measuring 13 feet 4 inches long weighed 

 4, 357 pounds and the weight of the northern species is assumed to be 

 similar. The female averages about 9 feet long. A 9-foot female 

 weighed 680 pounds. Length of the newborn pup 44 to 48 inches; weight 

 about 90 pounds. The snout of the male is prolonged and flexible and 

 can be inflated when the animal is angry „ Its color is dirty gray, and 

 the short body hairs are sparsely scattered, especially on the adult 

 male. The newborn young are black and were known commercially 

 as "rock seals. " The adult male utters a resounding "snoring" sound, 

 as well as snorts, sneezes, and coughs. 



Range 



Elephant seals are found mostly along the coast of Mexico and 

 southern California. Solitary specimens have been taken along the 

 Pacific Northwest Coast as far north as southeastern Alaska. It is 

 found regularly in winter off Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 



Breeding habits 



It is polygamous but its harem structxire is quite loose compared 

 to that of sea-lions and fur seals. The breeding -ground ratio of harem 

 bulls to cows is said to be about 1:13. Elephant seals breed from 

 December to March on several small islands off the Mexican and 

 California coasts, principally San Benito and Guadalupe. The gestation 

 period is about 11-1/2 months. 



Feeding habits 



The elephant seal is probably a deep-water feeder. One taken 40 

 miles from shore had eaten a number of small sharks, squids, and rays. 



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