“THE” Southern Elephant Seal Origin: trunk and sizeOrigin: trunk and size Scientific name: Mirounga leoninaScientific name: Mirounga leonina Found by Linnaeus in 1758Found by Linnaeus in 1758 Named by Lydekker in 1909Named by Lydekker in 1909
Physical Characteristics Size: Males up to 20 ft (5m), females up to 10 ft (3m) Weight: Males up to 4 T (8818 lb), females up to 1 T (2204 lb) Description Sexual Dimorphism
Life cycle Maturity: Males at 9-10 years Females at 3-5 Molting Gestation lasts 11.3 months Longevity
Breeding Breeding behaviour Breeding time Weaning time
Distribution South Georgia Kerguelen and Heard Macquarie Islands Beaches and grasslands Total Population: 700,000
Feeding Squid Fish Small sharks Shrimp octopus
Major Threats Exploited until 1964 Killer whales – Sharks Human disasters –fishing nets –Oil spill
Bibliography National Marine Sactuary ewsletter/sealviewing.html ewsletter/sealviewing.html