Elephant Seals

General info about Elephant Seals and a few pictures.

Location for viewing and best time to visit. Mating season, baby season.
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maiting season is January and February
late spring throught the summer is molting season

There are two places on the California coast where colonies can be legally observed, Año Nuevo State Park and Piedras Blancas (San Simeon), by the thousands. The Northern Elephant Seal lives in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, migrating as far north as Alaska and the shores of California and Baja California, where they come ashore to breed, give birth and molt, mostly on offshore islands. While the pelagic range covers an enormous span, there are only about seven principal breeding areas, four of which are on islands off the coast of California.

The Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the Southern Elephant Seal). Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male’s large proboscis, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating competition. The males average 1,800 kg (4000 lb), while the females average 650 kg (1400 lb).

Friends of the Elephant Seals