The Mating Ritual of Elephant Seals

http://www.bluewaterventures.org.

From the birth of elephant Seal pups to the ritual of mating, our viewing  at Piedras Blancas south of Big Sur was  outstanding this past weekend. The video reveals some details of the mating strategies of  the Northern Elephant Seal, Mirounga angustirostris.

 Be it by land or by water, a male elephant seal with make the trumpeting sound that is their signature, an erie noise  that resonates out through their strange proboscis (nose appendage).

 

 

 

Male elephant seals may simply raise their mighty proboscis upward bellowing out a cry that has been described as a Harley Davis motorcycle in need of a tune up.

Other times they may engage in  a bloody battle which ends more typically by the  retreat of the less dominant male rather than death.

 

 

 

 

Elephant Seal Battle

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Launching our  yearly Elephant Seal program south of Big Sur today. Already we’ve had incredible views! During the breeding and pupping season, male elephant seals go to battle. Since most of their time now is spent on land to mate, this in water battle offered some incredible viewing.
The thick skin around the neck referred to as the “chest shield” offers some protection to the head colliding and bites from other males. Join our naturalist-led adventures at httpa//www.bluewaterventures.org/:::www.bluewaterventures.org

Birth of a Seal

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Many memorable moments on our Big Sur Seals and Morro Bay by Kayak program this past weekend. However, I will never forget walking up to the excitement of a newly born elephant seal. Imagine coming out of the shoot surrounded by trumpeting seals, massive males near by, females bickering and sea gulls eager to carry off your placenta!

Wrinkled and wet, this newborn seal will soon start nursing as mom’s weight is transferred over. By the time a seal is weaned a mere 30 days later, the plump seal has quadrupled its weight enjoying the richest milk on earth, 53% fat. The consistency of mayonnaise.

 

 

Our next Elephant Seal program is April 11th to feature the weaned pups, known as the wearers who gather in large weaner pods at Ano Nuevo with http://www.bluewaterventures.org