Conservation
Scientific Classification
| Order | Carnivora |
| Clade | Pinnipedia |
| Family | Phocidae |
| Genus | Mirounga |
| Binomial name | Mirounga angustirostris |
Range Map
Description
The Northern elephant seal is one of two existing species of sea elephants.
Their name comes from their large size and the proboscis that characterizes males of this species, which is used to make loud roaring noises, especially during mating.
Males are a lot bigger than females, and a successful male can impregnate up to 50 females in one season.
Their dimensions are typically about 4 to 5 meters in body length for males, while females measure about 2.5 to 3.5 meters.
Males usually weigh about 1500 to 2300 kilograms while females range between 400 to 900 kilograms.
Northern elephant seals live in the eastern Pacific Ocean and spend most of their time inside the water.
They can be found in California and Baja California. Some significant colonies are found in several Pacific Islands in the United States and Mexico. They primarily feed on fish and squid.