Elephant Seals
 |  |  |  |  |
Each winter on the Central Coast, a large colony of northern elephant seals assembles on the beaches at
Piedras Blancas .
On November 25, 1990 less than two dozen elephant seals were counted in the small cove just south of the
Piedras Blancas lighthouse above San Simeon . In January of 1992 the first birth occurred. By 1996 the number
of pups born soared to almost 1000 .The total population for Piedras Blancas in 2005 was estimated to be
around 14,000.
So named because of their large size and the long pendulous noses on the males, these large animals spend
most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to molt, give birth, and mate. Elephant seals may look lazy, but
while living in the open ocean, northern elephant seals spend a lot of time diving, up to two hours at a time.
They rarely spend more than four minutes at the surface of the water between dives. It is believed that they eat
deep-water, bottom-dwelling marine animals such as ratfish, swell sharks, spiny dogfish, eels, rockfish, and
squid. Elephant seals molt each year between April and August, shedding not only their hair but also the upper
layer of their skin as well. This is known as catastrophic molt.
Piedras Blancas .
On November 25, 1990 less than two dozen elephant seals were counted in the small cove just south of the
Piedras Blancas lighthouse above San Simeon . In January of 1992 the first birth occurred. By 1996 the number
of pups born soared to almost 1000 .The total population for Piedras Blancas in 2005 was estimated to be
around 14,000.
So named because of their large size and the long pendulous noses on the males, these large animals spend
most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to molt, give birth, and mate. Elephant seals may look lazy, but
while living in the open ocean, northern elephant seals spend a lot of time diving, up to two hours at a time.
They rarely spend more than four minutes at the surface of the water between dives. It is believed that they eat
deep-water, bottom-dwelling marine animals such as ratfish, swell sharks, spiny dogfish, eels, rockfish, and
squid. Elephant seals molt each year between April and August, shedding not only their hair but also the upper
layer of their skin as well. This is known as catastrophic molt.
Today they are protected from hunting and harassment by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and
have become the fastest-growing tourist attraction on the Central Coast.
have become the fastest-growing tourist attraction on the Central Coast.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Video by Hugerhino from YouTube. |
Hundreds of thousands of northern elephant seals once inhabited
the Pacific Ocean. They were slaughtered wholesale in the 1800s
for the oil that could be rendered from their blubber. By 1892, only
50 to 100 individuals were left. The only remaining colony was on
the Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California.
In 1922, the Mexican government gave protected status to elephant
seals, and the U. S. government followed suit a few years later
when the seals began to appear in Southern California waters.
Since that time, elephant seals have continued to multiply
exponentially, and they have extended their breeding range as far
north as Point Reyes. Today, there are approximately 16,000
northern elephant seals, probably near the number before they
were over-hunted.
the Pacific Ocean. They were slaughtered wholesale in the 1800s
for the oil that could be rendered from their blubber. By 1892, only
50 to 100 individuals were left. The only remaining colony was on
the Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California.
In 1922, the Mexican government gave protected status to elephant
seals, and the U. S. government followed suit a few years later
when the seals began to appear in Southern California waters.
Since that time, elephant seals have continued to multiply
exponentially, and they have extended their breeding range as far
north as Point Reyes. Today, there are approximately 16,000
northern elephant seals, probably near the number before they
were over-hunted.
Annual Cycle at Piedras Blancas.
Breeding Season: December to Mid-March. The breeding season begins in early December with the arrival of
the adult males. The older bulls arrive first, and all serious competitors are on the beach by the end of the
month. Pregnant females begin arriving in mid-December, and return to sea in early March.
Younger males begin leaving in late February, but the larger bulls remain on the rookery until the end of March,
long after the last female has departed.
The pupping period is from about the third week in December to the end of the first week in February.
Female and Juvenile Molt: mid-March through May. As the last females wean their pups and return to sea, the
first females that gave birth in December return from sea to molt. The molt takes about one month. They are
joined by juveniles of up to four years of age. The highest numbers are seen in April.
Male Molt: June through August. The lowest numbers are observed in June, July and August, when
breeding-age males molt. Juvenile numbers begin to increase towards the end of August.
Juvenile Haul-Out: September through November. By the first week in September, all but a few males have
gone to sea to feed and fatten up for the approaching breeding season. Juveniles up to four years increase,
peaking in October.
Breeding Season: December to Mid-March. The breeding season begins in early December with the arrival of
the adult males. The older bulls arrive first, and all serious competitors are on the beach by the end of the
month. Pregnant females begin arriving in mid-December, and return to sea in early March.
Younger males begin leaving in late February, but the larger bulls remain on the rookery until the end of March,
long after the last female has departed.
The pupping period is from about the third week in December to the end of the first week in February.
Female and Juvenile Molt: mid-March through May. As the last females wean their pups and return to sea, the
first females that gave birth in December return from sea to molt. The molt takes about one month. They are
joined by juveniles of up to four years of age. The highest numbers are seen in April.
Male Molt: June through August. The lowest numbers are observed in June, July and August, when
breeding-age males molt. Juvenile numbers begin to increase towards the end of August.
Juvenile Haul-Out: September through November. By the first week in September, all but a few males have
gone to sea to feed and fatten up for the approaching breeding season. Juveniles up to four years increase,
peaking in October.
males jousting for territory
during the breeding season.
during the breeding season.
| HOME - EVENTS - SHOPPING - LINKS - CONTACT US |
