2014-04-25

Northern Elephant Seals, California Coast

We found these elephant seals stretched out on the beach along the central California Coast.  On our way south to Cambria, we found a free viewing deck right off of Highway 1.  This beach is protected and is part of the San Simeon Piedras Blancas Rookery, open year round.

 

Elephant Seals

The elephant seals pictured here are the Northern species, with males averaging 15 feet in length and weighing over 5,000 pounds each.  Mirounga angustirostris migrate here to breed, molt, and rest.  We visited in May after the breeding season was over, so they are just resting by that time of year.

 

80% of the year the seals are under ocean waters, diving for food.  With special breathing apparatus to assist them in their deep diving (down to 5,800 feet!), they can hold their breath for up to 100 minutes. They eat fish, squid, octopus, small shark, eels, and rays.

 

Every once in a while there was a roar or scuffle, but mostly one or another would just flop a flipper or roll their giant, heavy body over.

 

Whenever I am on a mission to slow down and rejuvenate, I think of the elephant seals in this photo.  I hope you, too, can rest this weekend and just flop a flipper and take in the joys of relaxation.

Photo credit:  Athena Alexander

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