More commonly known as the Northern Elephant Seal. Elephant seals get their name from their huge size (Male’s can get up to 5,000 pounds) and from the male’s large proboscis, which is used in making extremely loud snorting noises during the mating season. A successful bull is able to impregnate up to 50 females in one season. I’m impressed. Click on link for seal sounds Seal Sounds Post

Females grow up to 1,700 pounds. A pregnant female spends 7 to 8 months at sea and then comes back to land to give birth. While nursing and weening her pup, she will lose up to 40% of her body weight.

Pups weigh between 60 and 80 pounds at birth and after weening for 1 month, weigh up to 350 pounds. Quite a growth spurt!

Question!  What do you call a breeding colony of seals? Answer below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer to question above. A breeding colony of seals is referred to as a rookery.  Nesting birds also use this term.