Furthermore elephant seals are incredible divers as well with an ability to dive to 1500 metres beneath the oceans surface.

Is an elephant seal a mammal. Elephant seals are a useful species for volunteers and scientists to learn from and they can teach us about the needs of more endangered species like monk seals says Dr Field. The northern elephant seal species Mirounga angustirostris now found mainly on coastal islands off California and Baja California. Elephant seals got their name because adult males have large noses that resemble an elephants trunk.

We have a huge variety of patients on site and students and scientists from all over the world come to study here. Elephant seal pups shed this dark fur once. Why is a seal a mammal.

It is an elephant seal yes. Their proboscis is fully developed once the seal reaches around 7 to 9 years old. Leonina found throughout sub-Antarctic regions.

Phocids tend to migrate more than otariids. Adult males use their large inflatable noses during the winter breeding season to resonate sound when vocally threatening each other. Males begin developing this enlarged nose or proboscis at sexual maturity which is at about three to five years old.

Adolescent male elephant seals come here to undergo catastrophic molting. A proboscis is the nose of a mammal especially when it is long and mobile such as the trunk of an elephant. There are two species of elephant seal.

The southern elephant seal is the largest carnivorous aquatic mammal on the planet. The elephant seal is a marine mammal which contrary to appearances spends most of its time in the sea and only lives on land to reproduce and moult. Elephant Seal Appearance and Behavior These seals are covered in a layer of light or dark tan or grayish fur.