How deep does the Northern Elephant Seal live?

The Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is typically found at 0–1580 m.

How big does the Northern Elephant Seal get?

The Northern Elephant Seal grows to about 5 m.

Northern Elephant Seal

Mirounga angustirostris

Group: Seal
Typical depth: 0–1580 m
Max size: 5 m
IUCN status: LC

Among the deepest diving seals, the northern elephant seal plunges past 300 metres, and sometimes well over a kilometre, to hunt squid, small sharks and deep water fish. It slows its heart and shunts blood away from less vital organs to stretch a single breath across these long dives. Bulls grow a huge inflatable snout and can reach five metres.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Carnivora › Phocidae › Mirounga

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 255018.

FAQ

How deep does the Northern Elephant Seal live?: The Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is typically found at 0–1580 m.
How big does the Northern Elephant Seal get?: The Northern Elephant Seal grows to about 5 m.