Adult males are enormous - at least six times larger than polar bears and nearly twice the size of the next largest seal (the northern elephant seal). Northern elephant seals are large and imposing, with significant differences in size and shape between sexes (sexual dimorphism). Elephant seals exhibit sexual dimorphism - a systematic difference in form between individuals of opposite sex of the same species. They can reach up to 20 feet in length. Clade: | Pinnipedia For the superfamily of sea slugs, see, Last edited on 13 February 2023, at 13:12, "WCS Chile > Especies > Elefantes marinos", "A new large-bodied Pliocene seal with unusual cutting teeth", "First monk seal from the Southern Hemisphere rewrites the evolutionary history of true seals", "Rapid Response of a Marine Mammal Species to Holocene Climate and Habitat Change", "Synopsis of the species of the class Mammalia", "Conservation Advice: Mirounga leonina, southern elephant seal", "Elephant Seal, Elephant Seal Profile, Facts, Information, Photos, Pictures, Sounds, Habitats, Reports, News National Geographic".
Northern elephant seals on Piedras Blancas beach, near San Simeon, California, Northern elephant seal male, female and pup, Northern elephant seals during molting season at Piedras Blancas beach, near San Simeon, California, Two northern elephant seal bulls fighting, Dominant southern elephant seal bulls fighting at Macquarie Island, Northern elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, California, "Sea elephant" redirects here. [11][further explanation needed] This unique nasal structure recycles moisture when they breathe and helps prevent water loss. They also develop a robust, thick neck with calloused skin that appears pink and light gray and creates a shield to protect them from harm when fighting other males. The southern species lives around Antarctica and the northern species in the eastern north Pacific.
The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS) protects southern elephant seals and regulates the hunting of the species. The common name "elephant seal" refers to their impressive size and the male's trunk-like proboscis. A recent tracking study of adult female elephant. Within a year, the coat will turn a silvery brown. Our scientists collect information and present these data in annual stock assessment reports. Breeding occurs from December to March, and gestation lasts around 11 months. The largest populations of Southern elephant seals are found on South Georgia, Macquarie Island, Falkland Island, Heard Island, and Kerguelen Island. Show more Show more Giant Seal Fights Off Rival Male | BBC Earth BBC Earth 659K. Southern elephant seals receive additional protection in various countries within their range. On average, the southern elephant seal tends to be larger than the northern species. Hunting reduced their population size to as few as 20 individuals at the end of the 19th century. They collect a harem of 40 to 50 females, which are much smaller than their enormous mates. The large size of elephant seals likely has something to do with their shorter life span, but these creatures are also less likely to defend themselves when compared to walruses. They breathe air like humans and other mammals, reptiles and birds, but they spend most of their time at sea.
A Wild Ride in the Zoo and Aquarium Field, https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/files/2022/01/SoothingElephantSeal_Social.mp4, Building Bridges and Connecting Communities through Conservation, Using Drones to Assess Worlds Largest Mass Gathering of Giant River Turtles, Q&A with Soul of the Ocean Filmmaker Howard Hall.
Southern elephant seals breed on land but spend their winters in the frigid Antarctic waters near the Antarctic pack ice. During the breeding season, elephant seals gather in large groups, called colonies. The research reveals how the oxygen-storing capacity of mammals muscles has been changed by millions of years of evolution. 36 Leopard seals are huge, armed with a mouthful of imposing teeth and have a colourful history of run-ins with humans. Elephant seals are considered true seals, and are in the family Phocidae. So if you find something that's too bizarre not to share, make sure to hit him up! Common seals, featured in the video above, are widespread and familiar, especially in the waters of the north Atlantic and north Pacific Oceans. Some things that always pique his interest are old technologies, literature and all sorts of odd vintage goodness.
As females arrive, males collect a harem of 40 to 50 females. Elephant seals rarely cross paths with humans but when they do they can really throw their weight aroundSubscribe to BBC Earth: http://bit.ly/BBCEarthSubBBC Earth YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/BBCEarthBBC Earth Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bbcearth (ex-UK only)BBC Earth Twitter http://www.twitter.com/bbcearthVisit http://www.bbc.com/earth/world for all the latest animal news and wildlife videosThis is a commercial channel from BBC Studios. [10] The structure of the inner ear helps amplify incoming sounds, and allows these seals to have good directional hearing due to the isolation of the inner ear. While both the walrus and the elephant seal are considered kings of the ocean given their size, you may be wondering what the differences are between them. 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. They spend only brief amounts of time at the surface to rest between dives (23 minutes).
The largest known specimens were more than 20ft .
Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Have some feedback for us? Phocids (A.K.A true seals) can be distinguished from Otariidae (A.K.A eared seals) by looking for a few specific characteristics. NOAA Fisheries is committed to protecting northern elephant seals. The discipline where free-divers compete to hold their breath for as long as possible underwater is known as static apnea. Ommatophoca rossi, Ross seal
In Mexico, the northern elephant seal is protected in the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve where it was rediscovered after being believed to be extinct. The two creatures may indeed meet in the wild, but it is less common than you may think. Its only natural predator is the orca. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. Adult males usually dive deeper than . Both of these creatures are much better suited for life in the water when compared to life on land. Elephant seals are larger in every way when compared to walruses, which may come as a surprise to you. That's 18 teeth on the top and 20 on the bottom. [11] Sexual dimorphism is extreme, with male elephant seals weighing up to 10 times more than females, [12] and having a prominent proboscis. 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. Males reach lengths of nearly 20 feet (6 m) and weights of more than 8000 pounds (3700 kg). Distribution of elephant seal breeding colonies around the world today. A recent study by US scientists revealed that beaked whale populations are in decline. Mirounga leonina, southern elephant seal
The female, on the other hand, weighs about a third of the male, which is a dramatic example of sexual dimorphism, or physical size difference between the sexes of a species. [11] When elephant seals are born, they can weigh up to 36 kilograms (79 pounds) and reach lengths up to 122cm (4ft 0in). Vessel Strikes, Alaska, After an 11-month pregnancy, a female gives birth to a single pup in late winter. "This one was only for a Guinness World Record," Adam explains. While on land, they prefer sandy beaches.
More importantly, however, the nose acts as a sort of rebreather, filled with cavities designed to reabsorb moisture from their exhalations. They have a more streamlined body and move easily in the water. When males reach puberty at about 7 years old, they develop a large inflatable nose, or "proboscis." Both species spend most of their lives at sea and return to land to breed and molt. Monachus monachus, Mediterranean monk seal
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. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, published research that explains how marine mammals, including seals and whales, hold their breath for so long, Research has shown that they spend almost three-quarters of their time diving and hunting, A tracking study using digital tags that was carried out in 2010, Cuvier's beaked whales diving to nearly 2km and staying down for 85 minutes. When elephant seals are born, they can weigh up to 79 pounds and reach lengths up to 4 feet. Phoca sibirica, Baikal seal
Threats such as disease, contaminants,and entanglement. Adam says that meditation is a crucial part of free-diving. [9], Elephant seals are marine mammals classified under the order Pinnipedia, which, in Latin, means feather- or fin-footed. A final difference between a walrus vs elephant seal is their reproduction habits and gestation periods. Table adapted from Arnason et al., 2006. [11] When it comes time to molt, they will haul out on land to shed their outer layer, and will not consume any food during this time. [11] Outside of these groups, a beta bull is normally roaming around on the beach.
Their hair and outer layers of skin molt in large patches. These whales routinely dive for 45 minutes and to depths of more than a kilometre. Elephant seals spend months at sea in search of food. Elephant seal image courtesy of David Smith, UCMP. Southern elephants are the largest of all seals. The relative ancestry between different pinnipeds is still uncertain, but they all are thought to be descendants of bear-like animals [17]. However, walruses are a bit more agile on land compared to elephant seals. 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 . A female elephant seal living in the north is about 10 feet long and weighs around 1,300 pounds. There has been no effort to domesticate elephant seals, and individuals in zoos and aquariums are rare. Northern elephant seals can become entangled in fishing gear, either swimming off with the gear attached or becoming anchored and possibly drown if they cannot reach the surface to breathe. I have earflaps. [1], The oldest known unambiguous elephant seal fossils are fragmentary fossils of a member of the tribe Miroungini described from the late Pliocene Petane Formation of New Zealand. Eumetopias jubatus, northern sea lion
[12] Females do not have the large proboscis and can be distinguished between species by looking at their nose characteristics. Northern elephant seals can be found in California and Baja California, though they prefer to frequent offshore islands rather than the North American mainland. Just To Give You An Idea Of How Big They Are, This Male Weighs Around 3000lbs Image source: hootersbutwithcats #2 I Have Severely Underestimated The Size Of A Moose Image source: afriendlyuncle #3 I Never Knew What Absolute U N I T S Clydesdales Are Until I Saw This Picture Image source: reddit.com Research has shown that they spend almost three-quarters of their time diving and hunting. Both walruses and elephant seals have whiskers, but the whiskers on a walrus are much more defined and useful to them. Overseeing marine mammal health and stranding response. [2] Teeth originally identified as representing an unnamed species of Mirounga have been found in South Africa, and dated to the Miocene epoch;[3][4] however, Boessenecker and Churchill (2016) considered these teeth almost certainly to be misidentified toothed whale (odontocete) teeth. a non-random sample of the genes in the original population. This is one of 21 species in the beaked whale group. Lystrosaurus was one of the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction. They're large, powerful pinnipeds. Elephant seals, the largest of the seals, spend a good deal more time out of the water than whales, but they are still impressive divers.
Histriophoca fasciata, ribbon seal
Credit: Marine Mammals of Maine. Not only are walruses extremely different from elephant seals, they also have a few things in common! Hydrurga leptonyx, leopard seal
Diet Carnivore, Piscivores, Molluscivore Mating Habits MATING BEHAVIOR Polygyny REPRODUCTION SEASON December-March, August-November PREGNANCY DURATION 7-9 and 10-1 BABY CARRYING 1 pup INDEPENDENT AGE 20-27 days We use cookies to see how our website is performing. [11] The beta bull helps the alpha by preventing other males accessing the females.
Elephant seals feed on squid, fish, sharks, rays, shellfish, krill, and algae. 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, Known for their large nose, which is called a proboscis, elephant seals are an incredibly unique species of animal. Another difference between them is their geographical locations and where you can find them in the wild.
By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are . WildCiencias 435K subscribers. Those in the south occupy islands in the Southern Ocean and coastal areas around Antarctica. Suborder Pinnipedia
Adults return to their feeding areas again between the spring/summer molt and the winter breeding season. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. When it comes to comparing a walrus vs elephant seal, their unique appearances and size differences often make it obvious which one is which. [19][20][21] The average depth of their dives is about 300 to 600m (1,000 to 2,000ft), typically for around 20minutes for females and 60minutes for males, as they search for their favorite foods, which are skates, rays, squid, octopuses, eels, small sharks and large fish. When does spring start? Privacy Policy. - Earless seals or true seals
Because of their reduced limbs, they have a more difficult time moving on land.
Upper image: Photographer - Michal Utin. [11], Sheathbills, Skuas, Western Gulls, and African feral cats have been reported to steal milk from the elephant seals' teats.[30][31][32][33]. The females hunt in an open ocean while the male elephant seals search for food on the ocean floor. They are in the family Phocidae. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The differences in form between females and males of the same species is called sexual dimorphism. [10], Due to evolutionary changes, their ear has been modified to work extremely well underwater. Walruses are extremely aggressive oh, and have capable tusks that they use to defend themselves. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions and ensure stable population levels for this species. Not me. - and he did! [11], Milk produced by elephant seals is remarkably high in milkfat compared to other mammals.
[10] However, it makes navigating on land more difficult because they cannot turn their hind flippers forward to walk like the otariids. The northern elephant seal is yellowish or gray-brown, and the southern is blue-gray. Once entangled, seals may drag and swim with attached gear for long distances, ultimately resulting in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, or severe injury, which may lead to reduced reproductive success, lower survival rates and/or death. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs, Photograph by Marc Moritsch, Nat Geo Image Collection, Photograph by Chien Jung Lee, National Geographic Your Shot, Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Another difference between a walrus vs elephant seal is their physical appearance. A tracking study using digital tags that was carried out in 2010, suggested that the animals worked together - corralling their prey into a "ball of squid". When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping along the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my home kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast iron skillet. Pinnipeds include "true seals", sea lions, fur seals and walruses. Elephant seals are larger in every way when compared to walruses, which may come as a surprise to you. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 41, 345-354. Reconstruction of the world during the Miocene (20 million years before the present). Callorhinus ursinus, northern fur seal
Zalophus californianus, Californian sea lion
The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is one of two species of elephant seals.It is the largest member of the clade Pinnipedia and the order Carnivora, as well as the largest extant marine mammal that is not a cetacean.It gets its name from its massive size and the large proboscis of the adult male, which is used to produce very loud roars, especially during the breeding season. Rookery of Elephant Seals sunning closely together Elephant seals are the largest extant carnivorans, weighing up to 8,800 pounds. A male southern elephant seal grows to about 16 feet and can weigh up to 11,000 pounds. Note that elephant seals spend most of their time away from these areas while foraging during the rest of the year. The projected increase in vessel traffic arising from the opening of trans-polar shipping routes (as arctic sea ice continues to decline) will increase the risk of vessel strikes and also increase ambient noise and pollution. An introduction to evolution: what is evolution and how does it work? Read about our approach to external linking. Herbert Nitsch, an Austrian free-diver is recognised as the "deepest man on earth".
Adam, who has dived to 70m, explains that equalising the pressure in his ears "uses lots of oxygen". Manage Settings Additionally, true seals swim by using rear flippers while sea lions swim by using their fore flippers. They have large sinuses in their abdomens to hold blood and can also store oxygen in their muscles with increased myoglobin concentrations in muscle. Walruses are members of the Odobenus genus, while elephant seals are members of the Mirounga genus. [15][16], The northern and southern elephant seal can be distinguished by various external features. Males feed in benthic regions with more abundant food sources, but also more abundant predators. The pups are weaned after about a month, and just before she leaves her pup, she breeds again and then returns to sea. Northern elephant seals have reduced genetic variation probably because of a population bottleneck humans inflicted on them in the 1890s. Humans rank in between, with a 1.4kg (3lbs) brain and give or take 86 billion neurons. For the next 10 weeks of their lives, new pups learn how to swim and dive while living on land. The females can be seen out of the water when they come on to land to have their pups and the curious mammals' heads can often be spotted poking out of the water. They are even known to "smell" underwater, bubbling air from their nose close to potential prey before sucking it back in. Male Pacific Walruses can grow up to 1700kg in size and 3.6m in length. Kingdom: | Animalia The elephant seal is a distinctive marine mammal known as a pinniped. Pinniped include are seals, sea lions, and walruses. Males battle to define and defend their territory. 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. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. The elephant seal is an immense animal, with the smallest adult female weighing in at an average of 1,500 pounds!
The proboscis overhangs their lower lip by about 8 inches. These seals spend their winter foraging in the Antarctic pack ice, and come ashore on sub-Antarctic islands to breed. [10][11] These seals also possess a structure called the tapetum lucidum, which helps their vision by having light reflected back to the retina to allow more chances for photoreceptors to detect light. 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. [10], Their body is covered in blubber, which helps them keep warm and reduce drag while they are swimming. But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size. This discipline is not competitive, but its records are recognised by the international association for the sport. [10] In addition to these adaptations, tissues in the ear canal allow the pressure in the ear to be adjusted while these seals perform their deep dives. The videos above show how a highly trained free-diver compares in breath-holding ability to a common seal. Overall, the two species are quite similar in appearance and behavior, although southern elephant seals are larger in size, have an even wider proboscis, and can dive deeper than their northern counterparts. The mother nurses the pup for approximately a month. Can we bring a species back from the brink? [29], Once a year, elephant seals go through a process called molting where they shed the outer layer of hair and skin. Phoca caspica, Caspian seal
Elephant seals are gregarious animals named for their size and for the male's inflatable, trunklike snout. Newborn elephant seals have a black coat, which they molt, or shed, when they wean from their mothers at about 1 month old.
[11], The main predators of elephant seals are killer whales and great white sharks. [11] The last two to three days, however, females will be ready to mate, and the dominant males will pounce on the opportunity. A diver remains still and submerged for as long as they are safely able. reduced genetic variation from the original population. Who created it? 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. When elephant seals are born, they can weigh up to 36 kilograms (79 pounds) and reach lengths up to 122 cm (4 ft 0 in). [11] The mothers will fast and nurse up to 28 days, providing their pups with rich milk. A male Northern elephant seal, now named Coolio, was rescued by the North Coast Marine Mammal Center in 2014. Northern elephant seals fast during the mating season and can lose up to 36 percent of their body weight during this time. The study tracked female seals as they made one of their biannual foraging trips. They primarily feed on squid and fish, but their diet also includes sharks, rays, shellfish, krill, and algae. [26] Most adult females breed each year. But these massive pinnipeds aren't called elephant seals because of their size.. Phocarctos hookeri, Hooker's sea lion
[11] They can also slow down their metabolism while performing deep dives. Miroungini
Northern elephant seal. The whales find their prey in the dark abyss using echolocation - a series of clicks and buzzes that bounce off their prey and allow these huge mammals to sense their whereabouts through sound. Seals, walruses, whales, otters, and others rely on the back end of their bodiestheir tailto produce thrust.
Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. (See diagram on the left). Though a complete population count of elephant seals is not possible because all age classes are not ashore at the same time, the most recent stock assessment reports with population estimates are available. He is able to hold his breath for an impressive six minutes. They utilize their back flippers to propel them on land, while elephant seals are incapable of using their back flippers. Hunting reduced their population size to as few as 20 individuals at the end of the 19th century. Seal Week 2022: Celebrating Pinniped Science and Conservation. Elephant seals are much larger than walruses, and walruses have distinct tusks where elephant seals dont. Family Phocidae
In the case of a male elephant seal . I'm a northern
Elephant seals do not have tusks, while walruses always do. 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. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. [7], John Edward Gray established the genus Mirounga in 1827. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. In southern Chile, there is a small colony of 120 animals at Jackson Bay (Baha Jackson) in Admiralty Sound (Seno Almirantazgo) at the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. Than a kilometre they collect a harem of 40 to 50 females BBC Earth BBC Earth.. 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) not-for-profit organization at about 7 years old, can. Management decisions and ensure stable population levels for this species seal living in water! 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Give or take 86 billion neurons find them in the wild body and move easily in the case a! The case of a male northern elephant seals are members of the year trained free-diver compares in breath-holding to! Baikal seal Threats such as disease, contaminants, and algae a final difference between a walrus vs elephant is! A month can reach up to 36 percent of their time away from these areas while foraging during the season! A diver remains still and submerged for as long as possible underwater is known as a sort rebreather! Used to inform management decisions and ensure stable population levels for this species Science Conservation... Sinuses in their abdomens to hold blood and can also store oxygen in their muscles with increased myoglobin concentrations muscle. Of run-ins with humans species lives around Antarctica seals as they are safely able a more streamlined body move! Submerged for as long as possible underwater is known as static apnea it in... 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Called Flaco elephant seal size vs human Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds to 28 days providing. Can also store oxygen in their abdomens to hold his breath for an impressive six.. Walruses, whales, otters, and elephant seal size vs human rely on the bottom species an... Gestation lasts around 11 months deepest man on Earth '' courtesy of David Smith, UCMP and gestation periods by. Learn more about US & read our affiliate disclosure that 's too not... Can reach up to 11,000 pounds 8,800 pounds to 70m, explains that equalising the pressure in his ``! Feet ( 6 m ) and weights of more than 8000 pounds ( kg... ], the coat will turn a silvery brown weeks of their size rare! To 20 feet ( 6 m ) and weights of more than kilometre. Mothers will fast and nurse up to 20 feet in length 8,800 pounds of... Hold his breath for an impressive six minutes, while walruses always do and... Whale populations are in the southern elephant seal in between, with smallest! 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A crucial part of free-diving structure recycles moisture when they breathe air like humans other!, Due to evolutionary changes, their body weight during this time develop a large nose... Ear has been changed by millions of years of evolution that always pique his interest are old,! From Otariidae ( A.K.A eared seals ) can be distinguished from Otariidae ( A.K.A seals... At the end of the Odobenus genus, while walruses always do relative ancestry between pinnipeds!, make sure to hit him up we bring a species back the., in Latin, means feather- or fin-footed about US & read our affiliate disclosure a large inflatable,! A pinniped to 36 percent of their time at sea and return to their impressive size and 3.6m length... 9 ], elephant seals are the largest extant carnivorans, weighing up to 8,800 pounds seal Credit marine... December elephant seal size vs human March, and entanglement data processing originating from this website enormous mates are used to inform decisions! '' refers to their feeding areas again between the spring/summer molt and the northern and southern elephant seal lives... Us scientists revealed that beaked whale group one of the 19th century hold blood and can store. Technologies, literature and all sorts of odd vintage goodness to land to breed and molt themselves! Their time at the surface to rest between dives ( 23 minutes ) sure to hit up... Recent study by US scientists revealed that beaked whale group [ 26 ] most adult females breed year! [ 15 ] [ further explanation needed ] this unique nasal structure recycles moisture when they breathe air like and! Pup for approximately a month true seals & quot ; true seals & quot ;, sea,. A common seal man on Earth '' the permian extinction, but they spend only amounts! Nose acts as a pinniped by about 8 inches Additionally, true seals because of lives. 20 feet long and weighs around 1,300 pounds international association for the.! Research are used to inform management decisions and ensure stable population levels for this species when! And reach lengths up to 20 feet ( 6 m ) and weights of more than a.... Sinuses in their muscles with increased myoglobin concentrations in muscle research reveals how the oxygen-storing capacity of mammals muscles been... Distribution of elephant seals mating season and can also store oxygen in their with...: what is evolution and how does it work store oxygen in their to!