Elephant Seal Pup

This little Elephant Seal Pup, at the Marine Mammal Center, heard about my Daily E-mail and wanted in on the fun! I sped to oblige. Who knows when I might need a favor.

 

Here's some info from the MMC ~

Elephant seals are well named because their large noses resemble an elephant's trunk. Males begin developing this enlarged nose, or proboscis, at sexual maturity (about three to five years), and it is fully developed by seven to nine years. Adult males may grow to over 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). The females are much smaller at 10 feet (3 m) in length and 1,500 pounds (600 kg). The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal.

 

I have observed Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Park along the San Mateo Coast, and at Chimney Rock in the Point Reyes National Seashore. A visit to one, or both of these places, would be well worth your time. I also recommend you check out a couple of web sites ~ http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25732 and http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learning/education/pinnipeds/noelephseal.asp

And, of course, visit the Marine Mammal Center in Fort Cronkhite without delay.