Elephant seals are large marine mammals known for their massive size and distinctive appearance, particularly the males, which have a large, inflatable proboscis resembling an elephant's trunk. They belong to the family Phocidae, which includes true or earless seals.
Classification of the Elephant Seals:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Phocidae
Genus: Mirounga
Species:
1. Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
2. Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina)
Elephant seals spend the majority of their lives in the ocean, where they dive deep to hunt for food, such as fish and squid. They are known for their remarkable diving ability and can stay submerged for more than an hour. These seals only come ashore to breed, give birth, and molt, gathering in large colonies on beaches or islands.
