Elephant Seal

Elephant seals are large true seals named for the enlarged nose developed by adult males. They spend much of their lives at sea, diving deeply for fish and squid. Breeding and molting bring them ashore, often in conspicuous groups on beaches. Males are much larger than females and may compete for access to breeding groups. Females give birth and nurse pups on land before returning to feeding at sea. The common name covers northern and southern elephant seals.