What marvelous creatures they are: huge blubbery males with the pendulous noses that give these beasts their name; winsome females whose faces seem to be etched with a permanent smile; and endearing plump babies with big appetites. They are just seals with elephant trunks. If they feel a human is encroaching on their space, or is threatening them, or even looking suspicious, they will defend themselves savagely. While photographing these huge beasts from probably around 20 meters away, the question as to whether they're dangerous was very much on my mind. While swimming, southern elephant seals move at speeds around 5 - 10 kph (3 - 6 mph). https://whatdewhat.com/elephants-marine-largest-seals-world They fight viciously usuing their 5000lbs body weight, teeth, and flippers like axes (they are not weak and flabby). Don't forget, seals are predators, and fighting is a natural part of life for them - they do have the instinct to attack when provoked, no matter what species they're against. They are usually underwater, diving to depths of about 1,000 to 2,500 feet for 20 to 30 minute intervals with only short breaks at the surface. An elephant seal in the south Indian Ocean finds out that giving birth to a seal pup is no day at the beach. 'But when they get up and start to bellow, you know it's time to step back.'. Elephant seals are massive, and aggressive. Seals are wild animals that can be aggressive and bite, causing major wounds and possibly infections to humans. Females are aggressive when protecting their pups, and the bulls are unpredictable. And if people get too close to females, they can attack them and bite them. Mammals. The elephant seal, which had become disorientated after coming ashore, was eventually helped back into the sea after dozens of neighbours, police and naval officers used black tarpaulins to … He said one would distract the bull in a vicious fight while the other would sneak in and mate with a female on the periphery of the harem, which can be 100-strong. Harassment and disturbance of elephant seals is prohibited by state and federal laws. Hello cheeky: Elephant seals faced extinction in the 20th century but numbers have since swelled, The photographer was able to get close once the males stopped clashing, as seen here. Seriously, why would an Orca go into a wading pool to pick a fight with an Elephant seal? In an attempt to fight rivals, they will kill baby seals. Even though leopard seals are powerful predators, but they don’t always prey upon penguins. "Bottom line is, he's very dangerous," … If seals are looking at you, you may be too close! The more petite females measure about nine to twelve feet long and usually weigh between twelve hundred to two thousand pounds. The list contains a huge range of species from tropical jellyfish to killer seals of the Arctic. Elephant seals spend most of their lives at sea and only return to land to mate. Also what would happen if an 18 foot 5000 lbs elephant seal collided into an orca at full speed underwater? "Bottom line is, he's very dangerous," … The list contains a huge range of species from tropical jellyfish to killer seals of the Arctic. The largest is the male elephant seal (genus Mirounga leonina) of coastal California (including Baja California, Mexico) and South America, which can reach a length of 6.5 metres (21 feet) and a weight of 3,700 kg (8,150 pounds). Not only is it illegal, but it is also dangerous for both you and the seal. Anything more where the Orca can navigate, like the rest of the ocean, the Orca. It is named after the males' snout which resembles the trunk of an elephant. Leopard seal feeding behavior is most easily seen when preying on penguins. If people disturb elephant seals, that can cause them to displace pups and females and males. When there are oil spills or chemical spills in the water it can destroy a large number of seals very quickly. They tend to have a probing nature and at times, play with them instead. Elephant seals spend up to 80% of their lives in the ocean. Ranked as the third largest pinniped (seal) in the world, after the walrus and the elephant seal, the leopard seal is an amazing creature that can be both fascinating and dangerous at the same time. So it's best for both to have these beaches protected. That’s created an issue with people taking selfies with elephant seals, which is disruptive for the seals and dangerous for the humans. Southern elephant seals live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. Elephants can be dangerous for people, but usually the are not dangerous. The elephant has a proboscis, which is commonly known as trunk. Female elephant seals don't have the trunks. Elephant seals are not aggressive unless they are defending their territory or young. Wildlife photographer Justin Hofman captured the astonishing images at Gold Harbour on South Georgia, braving the powerful and ferocious creatures' wrath to get the close-up shots. Is it possible for a human to co-raise a male baby tiger cub into adulthood ? So it's best for both to have these beaches protected. Males have a very hard life and live a considerably shorter time than the females. When there are oil spills or chemical spills in the water it can destroy a large number of seals very quickly. Elephants can be dangerous for people, but usually the are not dangerous. They are very dangerous, and fight to the death by biting one another. The most dangerous time for an elephant seal on Isla Guadalupe is when they arrive to the island and when they leave the island. 'They slam down onto each other with massive force and their weight, combined with very sturdy teeth, imparts damage nearly every time. The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is one of two species of elephant seals.It is the largest member of the clade Pinnipedia and the order Carnivora, as well as the largest extant marine mammal that is not a cetacean.It gets its name from its massive size and the large proboscis of the adult male, which is used to produce very loud roars, especially during the breeding season. Elephant seals, leopard seals and sea lions are the most dangerous especially during breeding season. 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