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Sleeping beauty ...

Northern elephant seal pup.

Elephant Rock, Point Reyes

California, USA

 

So called due to the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), which resembles an elephant’s trunk.

An average pup weighs about 15 kg (32 pounds) at birth and when weaned in about 4 weeks, weighs around 136 kgs (300 pounds).

An interesting fact is that the female, for the 4 weeks that she is nursing her pup, does not take any food or water. They survive by metabolizing their blubber, providing energy, nourishment, and water.

The male-female weight ratio is among the highest in mammals.

Males on an average are triple in weight when compared to females. Males can be 4-5 mts in length and weigh around 2300 kgs whereas female average around 2-4 mts and weigh around 400-800 kgs.

 

 

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Uploaded on August 18, 2021
Taken on March 28, 2021