The Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) is a member of the ‘true seals’ family Phocidae. True seals are also referred to as earless seals because they lack external ear projections and they have functional inner ears. They have a circumpolar distribution and breed on subantarctic islands including four main main stock groups: South Georgia, Peninsula Valdez, Iles Kerguelen (including Heard Island), and Macquarie Island. It is believed that Macquarie Island population is declining at a rate of approximately 2% per year. They breed in colonial groups called harems and a single dominant male usually can control a harem of up to 50 females
This seal is coloured rusty grey-brown and are covered with thick blubber. Mature males have a large 'trunk', or proboscis which is used to amplify their vocalisations and, together with their bulk, gives rise to their name 'elephant' seal. They often appear cumbersome and indifferent to humans yet, despite their awkwardness, they have the ability to move at great speed which can make them dangerous if encountered. Southern elephant seals feed on squid and fish. They can dive to depths of 1500 metres and can stay submerged for up to 2 hours. Most dives are about 30minutes duration and of depths between 300 and 800m.
The Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) is the largest of all seals with males reaching up to 6 metres in length and weighing over 4000kgs. The average size of adult males is 4.2 metres and a weight of 2,200 kg. Females are much smaller at 2-3 m in length and only 500 kg in weight. They can also live for up to 23 years.
The images of the Elephant Seal were taken by Kylie Russell on a research trip to Macquarie Island in 2004.
