Introduction The northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris, is the second largest seal in the world.It is surpassed only by its relative the southern elephant seal. The females do not have the large proboscis only the males do. The Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) are the largest of all seals with males reaching 4-5 m in length and 3 500 kg in weight (females are smaller – usually under 3 m in length and only 500 kg in weight). Mature males have a large ‘trunk’, or proboscis which is used to amplify the sounds they make and, together … Elephant Seal There are two types of elephant seal found in the worlds oceans.The northern elephant seal is found in the Northern Hemisphere in the Pacific Ocean near to the coast of Mexico, Canada and the USA. Males of both species attain a length of approximately 6.5 metres (21 feet) and a weight of about 3,530 kg (7,780 pounds) and are much larger than the females, which grow to 3.5 metres and weigh 900 kg. Special Features – Milk produced by elephant seals is significantly high in milkfat (50%) as against human (4%) and cow (3.5%) milk. Well, the southern elephant seal's scientific name is Mirounga leonina. The programme collects information on the many aspects of southern elephant seals biology, including demography, ecology, behaviour, physiology and genetics. The southern species has an extensive molting period in which considerable patches of hair and skin are shed. Elephant seals return to the same beaches year after year for breeding and molting. Due to its unique body structure, this mammal is an excellent swimmer and diver. The Southern Elephant Seals large eyes indicate that vision is important for hunting in the dark ocean depths. The elephant seal now occupies most of it’s original range. Southern elephant seals are grayish brown in colour and are covered with thick blubber. Scientific Name Mirounga angustirostris. There large proboscis is used for making loud roaring sounds especially during mating season. Currently, elephant seals are protected in the U.S. by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, and are not of particular conservation concern. The Southern elephant seal lives in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters. Since 1995, a small team of Italian researchers have been conducting a long-term study of the southern elephant seal population of Sea Lion Island. Gestation Period – About 11 months. The species is also covered by the Sub-antarctic Fur Seal and Southern Elephant Seal Recovery Plan and the Action Plan for Australian Seals 1999. 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).Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male's large proboscis, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating competition. Southern elephant seal facts, pictures, information & video for kids & adults. The northern elephant seal is yellowish or gray-brown, and the southern is blue-gray. Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. General comments. Discover the world's biggest seal: where found, diet, predators and more. More information on other Heard Island seals: Antarctic fur seals; Subantarctic fur seals The southern elephant seal is found in the southern hemisphere on the coast of Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.. Nearly 90% of males die before reaching social maturity. Social Structure – Live in herds; during breeding season males define and defend territories, collecting a harem of 40 to 50 females Life Expectancy – 9 years (northern subspecies); 20 to 22 years (southern subspecies).