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Despite their name, elephant seals are not closely related to elephants, and the large proboscis or trunk that males of the species possess is an example of convergent evolution. The northern elephant seal, somewhat smaller than its southern relative, ranges over the Pacific coast of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal). It is a member of the family Phocidae (true seals ). Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male's large proboscis , which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises ...
Southern elephant seal harem on a beach on the Kerguelen Islands. Southern elephant seal world population was estimated at 650,000 in the mid-1990s, [1] and was estimated in 2005 at between 664,000 and 740,000. [18] Studies have shown the existence of three geographic subpopulations, one in each of the three oceans.
Seals range in size from the 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and 45 kg (100 lb) Baikal seal to the 5 m (16 ft) and 3,200 kg (7,100 lb) southern elephant seal. Several species exhibit sexual dimorphism . They have streamlined bodies and four limbs that are modified into flippers .
There’s a reason the male elephant seals lounging on the sand look a bit ratty.
IUCN status and estimated population Ribbon seal. H. fasciata (Zimmermann, 1783) Arctic and subarctic regions of the North Pacific Ocean (blue indicates reduced summer range) Size: 165–175 cm (65–69 in) long; 72–90 kg (159–198 lb) [31] Habitat: Neritic marine and oceanic marine [32] Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates [32] LC
The sealers pursued their trade in a most unsustainable manner, promptly reducing the fur seal population to near extermination. As a result, sealing activities on South Georgia had three marked peaks in 1786–1802, 1814–23, and 1869–1913 respectively, decreasing in between and gradually shifting to elephant seals taken for oil.
Demographic economics or population economics is the application of economic analysis to demography, the study of human populations, including size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics.