Main content
Northern elephant seal
(Mirounga angustirostris)
Our seals have travelled from as far as the deep seas off Alaska to reach the bay.
Northern elephant seals are the largest true seal in the Northern Hemisphere. When males reach puberty at about 7 years old, they develop a large inflatable nose, or proboscis. This curious feature overhangs their lower lip by around 20cm and helps to generate their incredibly loud mating call.
Size: Weight: 2200kg Length: 4m
Lifespan: 22 years
Diet: Sharks, fish, crab, squid, and octopus
Distribution: Northern California to central Mexico
Journey to Monterey Bay:
- Our seals have travelled from as far as the deep seas off Alaska to reach the bay.
You may not know...
- They spend 80% of their life at sea.
- They're the largest land animals in the Americas.
