Table of Contents
What category does an elephant seal belong to?
marine mammals
Elephant seals are marine mammals classified under the order Pinnipedia, which, in Latin, means feather- or fin-footed. Elephant seals are considered true seals, and fall under the family Phocidae.
Is an elephant seal an amphibian?
The elephant seal is the largest amphibious animal.
What is the scientific name of an elephant seal?
Mirounga
Elephant seals/Scientific names
How many northern elephant seals are left?
Today, the northern elephant seal population has rebounded to approximately the size it was before hunting. It’s estimated that there are 150,000 individuals, with 124,000 in California waters.
Is Northern elephant seal a mammal?
elephant seal, also called sea elephant, either of the two largest pinnipeds (aquatic mammals of the suborder Pinnipedia): the northern elephant seal (species Mirounga angustirostris), now found mainly on coastal islands off California and Baja California; or the southern elephant seal (M.
What animals eat northern elephant seals?
Large fishes, squid and an occasional penguin fall prey to elephant seals, who have few, if any predators. Beach parties of hundreds of seals sunbathe on the shores together. The Elephant seals nose is used in producing extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season.
Is a seal a reptile or amphibian?
an animal that lives both on land and in water but is unable to breathe under water. Crocodiles, seals, and beavers are amphibians.
What kind of animal is the northern elephant seal?
The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal). It is a member of the family Phocidae (true seals).
How long do northern elephant seals stay underwater?
Northern elephant seals spend about 9 months of the year in the ocean. 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. They are rarely seen out at sea for this reason.
Where are elephant seals found in the southern hemisphere?
The most northerly breeding location on the Pacific Coast is at Race Rocks, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The southern elephant seal is found in the Southern Hemisphere on islands such as South Georgia and Macquarie Island, and on the coasts of New Zealand, South Africa,…
How are male elephant seals different from female elephant seals?
Sexual dimorphism is extreme, with male elephant seals weighing up to 10 times more than females, and having a large proboscis. Elephant seals take their name from the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), which resembles an elephant ‘s trunk, and is considered a secondary sexual characteristic.