The Bull Elephant Seal

The bull Elephant Seal is a massive mammal. The Southern Elephant Seal male adult can weigh more than two SUVs at up to eight thousand pounds and have an overall length of 20 feet. These behemoths reside in Antarctica.  The images below are of California’s Northern Elephant Seals and can weigh a mere 4,000 pounds or one large SUV.  It’s mating season currently along California’s coast and a male can have up to 50 females in his harem.  They have just returned from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska where they bulked up on squid and other ocean delicacies.  They have the ability to dive up to a mile below the ocean’s surface for as long as two hours. Of course, it’s obvious where they received their names.

 

An elephant seal along California's Pacific Ocean Coast near San Simeon.

 

An elephant seal along California's Pacific Ocean Coast near San Simeon.

 

ENDANGERED NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL ON PACIFIC OCEAN, CALIFORNIA

 

An elephant seal along California's Pacific Ocean Coast near San Simeon.

18 responses to “The Bull Elephant Seal”

  1. Lexa Avatar

    Great post. Did you take them at Ano Nuevo Park?

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks, No, these were taken at Piedras Blancas just north of San Simeon.

      1. Lexa Avatar

        Ah thanks for letting me know. I saw elephant seals for the first time on vacation at Christmas and just thought they were awesome! You have some great shots of them.

      2. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

        Thanks again!

  2. foguth Avatar

    They are so homely, they’re artistic in an odd way. Bravo for accomplishing that!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      They are not as cute as your cats though!

      1. foguth Avatar

        Sometimes, being cute isn’t enough to excuse certain behavior … spent half the day fixing the poor cat tree – it is now attached to the wall using one of the things normally used to hang TVs on the wall.

  3. Eliza Waters Avatar

    I think they would scare me to death! I expect these were taken with a very long lens? 😉

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      They don’t move fast but they are mostly at the bottom of a bluff and can’t get to the top.

  4. Susanne Avatar

    Yow! Scary lookin’ creatures.

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Good thing they don’t move like Grizzly Bears. Grizzlies really scare me!

  5. Jet Eliot Avatar

    Fantastic photos! You really captured the immensity and uniqueness of the elephant seals.

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
  6. Bulldog Travels Avatar

    Amazing creatures.

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      This is probably the 8th time I’ve stopped at this place to photograph these guys! Next time I will do some video to capture the funky sounds they make.

      1. Bulldog Travels Avatar

        Good for you. I would do the same thing if I was near them! I just love unusual animals. And I am so glad they are doing a better job of protecting them from traffic.

  7. Amy Avatar

    Amazing creature, diving 1 mile down the ocean! Thank you for letting us see the details, Micheal.
    I have missed your recently posts from my reader… 😕

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Your welcome Amy, not sure why you don’t see my posts on Reader.

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