Northern elephant seal
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, especially during the mating competition. Sexual dimorphism in size is great. Correspondingly, the mating system is highly polygynous; a successful male is able to impregnate up to 50 females in one season.
| Northern elephant seal Temporal range: Pleistocene-recent | |
|---|---|
| Male (bull), female (cow) and pup | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Clade: | Pinnipedia |
| Family: | Phocidae |
| Genus: | Mirounga |
| Species: | M. angustirostris |
| Binomial name | |
| Mirounga angustirostris (Gill, 1866) | |
| Distribution of the northern elephant seal (red: breeding colonies; yellow: non-breeding individuals) | |
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