Animal Profiles
Mammals

Elephant Seal

Mirounga

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Elephant seals are large marine mammals. This account describes the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), which feeds at sea and returns to land to breed.

Mirounga leonina (elephant seal)

Representative species: Mirounga leonina.

Antoine Lamielle · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Southern elephant seals use Southern Hemisphere seas and island beaches. They spend much of their time offshore and haul out for breeding or moulting.
Habitat
Open ocean, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Squid and fish supply much of the food caught during dives.

Classification

Common name
Elephant Seal
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Mirounga
Taxon rank
genus
Order
Carnivora
Family
Phocidae
Genus
Mirounga
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Adult males are much larger than females.
  • Mature males develop an enlarged nose.
  • They build fat stores while feeding at sea.

Habitat and range

Southern elephant seals use Southern Hemisphere seas and island beaches. They spend much of their time offshore and haul out for breeding or moulting.

Appearance and adaptations

A thick body and short fur characterize the species. Adult males carry an enlarged proboscis and may bear scars from breeding contests.

Diet and behaviour

Squid and fish supply much of the food caught during dives. Large gatherings form on shore during breeding. Males compete for access to females, while mothers nurse pups before returning to the ocean.

Sources

Explore mammals

Browse all mammals