| Photo Information |
| Copyright: Ray Anderson (windbum) (31) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-11 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Camera: Sigma SD14 |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-12-01 10:08 |
| Viewed: 3446 |
| Points: 0 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Mirounga angustirostris - Northern Elephant Seal gets it's name from a bull male's proboscis. These guys can max out at 16 feet in length and 6,000 pounds. They can hold their breath underwater up to 80 minutes and dive down 1500 meters. Their diet consists of rays, skates, squid, octupuses, eels, and small sharks.
This scene is of some females and youngsters napping on the beach at Piedras Blancs, just north of San Simeon, California along Highway 1.
The Elephant Seals migrate to California from British Columbia and Alaska in mid autumn and winter to breed and add body fat for the trek back to the north in spring.
They were almost extinct from over-hunting by the 20th Century. Their numbers were between 100 and 1,000. Fortunately, the creation of new energies, electricity and oil helped them survive until more recent Marine Protection Acts. It is illegal to harass or kill an Elephant Seal along the coast of California. |
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
