Quick answer
The northern elephant seal is the largest seal in the Northern Hemisphere — bulls reach 2,300 kg with an inflatable proboscis. Weighing up to 900 kg for females, living about 13 years, and diving over 1,500 metres, it hunts squid and fish along the Pacific coast after near-extinction recovery.
Key takeaway
The northern elephant seal is the largest seal in the Northern Hemisphere — bulls reach 2,300 kg with an inflatable proboscis. Weighing up to 900 kg for females, living about 13 years, and diving over 1,500 metres, it hunts squid and fish along the Pacific coast after near-extinction recovery.
Northern Elephant Seal overview
Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is a mammal listed here as Least Concern. Typical weight 400–2,300 kg (880–5,070 lb); bulls vastly heavier; lifespan around 11–13 years in the wild (females longer than bulls).
Northern Elephant Seal ecology
Diet: Carnivore — squid, deep-sea fish, and rays. Habitat: Offshore Pacific and breeding beaches of California and Mexico. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Northern Elephant Seals and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild northern elephant seals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Least Concern. See the full Northern Elephant Seal profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild northern elephant seals.
Human interest and research
Northern Elephant Seals feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
Northern Elephant Seal FAQs
What are key facts about northern elephant seals?
The northern elephant seal is the largest seal in the Northern Hemisphere — bulls reach 2,300 kg with an inflatable proboscis. Weighing up to 900 kg for females, living about 13 years, and diving over 1,500 metres, it hunts squid and fish along the Pacific coast after near-extinction recovery.
What is the scientific name of the northern elephant seal?
Mirounga angustirostris — used in research and conservation listings for northern elephant seals.
What do northern elephant seals eat?
Northern Elephant Seals eat squid, deep-sea fish, and rays, with seasonal and regional variation in Offshore Pacific and breeding beaches of California and Mexico.
Where do northern elephant seals live?
They are associated with Offshore Pacific and breeding beaches of California and Mexico. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of northern elephant seals?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.