Elephant Seals 

Mirounga angustirostris

About

Elephant Seals are the most spectacular in appearance and behavior of all the Channel Islands seals. The inflatable trunk-like nose, which is used for vocalization, is a unique and alluring feature of the adult male population. When the nose is inflated it acts as a resonating chamber, amplifying the roar of the male.

Appearance

Adult males may be up to 18 feet in length and weigh up to two and a half tons. Female elephant seals are smaller, usually less than 12 feet in length, and both males and females are dark gray to gray brown in color. Pups are born with a black coat which molts by the time they are seven weeks old. At birth, pups are about five feet long and usually weigh less than 100 pounds.

Fun Facts

• About three quarters of the seals return to the beach where they were born.

• Seals are often tagged with what island they originate from

• White or red tag = San Nicolas Island

• Yellow tag = San Miguel Island

• Within the first month of life, a pup’s body weight will increase from three to seven times from its mother’s milk alone.

• Their Channel Islands population is estimated in excess of 180,000 elephant seals!